How independant is the "independant" investigator in TrooperGate

**5711-Marine** · September 15th, 2008, 11:16 AM

Apparently Mr Branchflower cannot add a name to the subpoena list without Senator French's approval.

**Dredly** · September 15th, 2008, 11:23 AM

Who was the guy asking the questions?

**5711-Marine** · September 17th, 2008, 10:35 AM

by Sgt Tim @ 10:17 pm on September 16, 2008.

Mark Levin spoke with Anchorage attorney Kevin Clarkson about the law suit he is filling involving the ‘Troopergate’ ‘Tasergate‘ investigation of Governor Sarah Palin, claiming the investigation violates Alaska’s Constitution and lacks due process. Mr. Clarkson will ask, “…for declaratory and injunctive relief in the investigation, stating that it is an attempt to use the Alaska Legislative Council to further partisan politics.”

Related report:

On Tuesday, three state representatives and two state senators sued Democratic Sen. Hollis French, who is overseeing the investigation; Juneau Democratic Sen. Kim Elton, who heads the Legislative Council; independent investigator Steve Branchflower; and the Legislative Council itself.

In an email, Clarkson stated:

The investigation, which began after Monegan’s dismissal in July 2008, is being led by outspoken supporters of Barack Obama and members of the Democratic Party. Sen. Elton, the Chair of the Legislative Council donated $2,000 to the Obama campaign but has failed to disclose this to the Legislative Council and he continues to preside over the Council with respect to the investigation, refusing to convene meetings of the Council at the request of a majority of the Council’s membership. Sen. French the investigation “project manager” failed to disclose to the Legislative Council the comments he made on a radio program criticizing the Governor’s conduct regarding the termination of Monegan as “criminal” prior to being appointed as the investigation “project manager” and even prior to a vote to investigate at all. Sen. French also failed to disclose to the Legislative Council that he had a personal bone to pick with the Governor over the Monegan firing because Monegan was a friend and because he had worked closely with Monegan during the 2008 legislative session regarding attempts to include in the state budget items that Governor Palin had vetoed.

audio of interview here