Investigator: Palin probe to end before election RAW STORY

Published: Friday September 19, 2008





Print This Email This McCain-Palin camp is seeking to delay investigation until after election



ANCHORAGE, Alaska (The Associated Press) - The Alaska lawmaker directing an abuse-of-power investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin promised Friday the probe will be finished before the election, despite refusals by key witnesses to testify, including the governor's husband.



After waiting 35 minutes for Todd Palin and two state administrative employees to appear under subpoena before the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Hollis French condemned their refusal to testify and the attorney general's broken promise that seven other witnesses would testify who were not subpoenaed.



French said the retired prosecutor hired by the Alaska Legislature to investigate Palin, Stephen Branchflower, will conclude his investigation by Oct. 10. Still, that report will not include testimony from the Republican vice presidential nominee, her husband or most of the top aides Branchflower hoped to interview.



Sarah Palin's allies hoped the investigation would be delayed past the election to spare her any troublesome revelations  or at least the distraction  before voters have made their choice. Palin's reputation as clean-government advocate who takes on entrenched interests is central to her appeal as Republican John McCain's running mate, and possibly at risk in the probe.



Read the rest of the Associated Press article at this link.



