Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's husband and other witnesses boycotted a legislative hearing in Anchorage Friday, threatening to derail a thorough probe by the lawmakers into her firing of the state's police chief.
By refusing to honor subpoenas from the state Senate Judiciary Committee, the witnesses -- Palin's husband, Todd, and some of the governor's aides -- cast doubt on the lawmakers ability to complete their investigation. While the state Legislature could seek to hold them in contempt, the Senate and House are in recess until January and can't act without reconvening.
"We can't drag them in unless we're in session," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras, a Republican, last week.
That could push the resolution of the probe past the presidential election on Nov. 4. Palin was picked by Senator John McCain last month to be his Republican vice presidential running mate. The Alaska lawmakers could still conclude their probe by Oct. 10 as planned, though without testimony from key witnesses.
Three witnesses who were subpoenaed last week failed to appear to testify today. Others who said they would cooperate without being subpoenaed also didn't appear. The lawmakers are looking into Palin's July 11 firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The police chief said he was dismissed for refusing to fire state trooper Mike Wooten, who was involved in a messy divorce and custody battle with Palin's sister.
The governor's supporters are balking at cooperating in the probe because, they say, it is biased against her.
Meg Stapleton, a McCain-Palin campaign spokeswoman, said this week the investigation should be run by the state Personnel Board, which is also looking into the matter.