Bush---er, Palin--- wants complete secrecy in TrooperGate probe

By GottaLaff

Bush III/Cheney II/IWRC* Palin:

Of the two Alaska investigations into abuse-of-power allegations against Sarah Palin, the governor has chosen to cooperate with just one: the one that guarantees secrecy.

Sidebar: Here is a brief recap of who is investigating, the second being who IWRC favors:

Bipartisan, unanimously endorsed, Palin-sanctioned investigation by the Alaska State Legislature

vs.

Republican, 3-member board, governor appointed, working directly for Palin, McCain sanctioned investigation.

Continuing:

But that investigation, unlike the more public legislative one, would require the investigation to be conducted in complete confidentiality. Under Alaska law, those who are part of such an investigation are unable to acknowledge even its existence until the Personnel Board decides there's enough evidence to hold a hearing.

If the complaint is dismissed, the probe and all the information related to it remains confidential.

Palin can waive confidentiality. The McCain campaign -- which is fielding all questions about Troopergate on the Palins' behalf -- on Tuesday said the governor originally did so but that the investigator, Anchorage attorney Timothy Petumenos, requested she not speak publicly.

McCain spokesman Ed O'Callaghan later acknowledged that the state's confidentiality laws still apply.

Alaska law also allows a Personnel Board investigation to last for up to two years. It's unknown how long Petumenos will need. [...]

Also, Palin might be able to have the complaint dismissed simply by refusing to cooperate. State law says that if the person who filed a complaint is unwilling to assist in the investigation, that can justify the probe's termination.

O'Callaghan said he did not know whether that interpretation of the law was correct, but Palin intended to cooperate fully with the Personnel Board investigation.

An e-mail request for comment to the three members of the state Personnel Board was not answered on Tuesday.

To me, this is like a someone busted for drugs cooperating with his dealer.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"