August 13, 2008

Governor Palin explains Monegan firing

Governor Palin to Turn Over Findings to Branchflower

In press conference Wednesday, Alaska governor Sarah Palin explained her reason for firing former commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Walt Monegan.

Governor Palin said Monegan was not a "team player" and that he wasn't doing a good job.

Last month Palin released a statement saying "Walt has falsely accused me of making a comment to him that a draft report on troopers' activities would somehow make my administration look bad."

Monegan is claiming he felt pressured by the Palin administration to fire Trooper Mike Wooten, who divorced Palin's sister and has had ongoing child custody battles.

Palin also acknowledged Wednesday that Frank Bailey, the director of boards and commissions, made a phone call to an Alaska state troopers station complaining about Wooten.

From a State of Alaska press release:

Governor Sarah Palin today announced she will turn over findings of an inquiry by the Alaska Department of Law regarding the termination of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The findings were made available to Steve Branchflower, a retired state prosecutor, who was selected earlier this month by the Legislative Council to investigate the termination of the former commissioner and allegations it might have been related to Monegan's refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten, the Governor's former brother-in-law.

Immediately following the Legislative Council's move to hire Branchflower, Attorney General Talis Colberg ordered the preservation of all state documents that might be relevant to the investigation. The Department of Law has conducted informal interviews with staff from the Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Governor. Branchflower has requested that interview notes and tapes resulting from the meetings be delivered to his office.

Governor Palin this afternoon released a recording of a telephone conversation between Boards and Commissions Director Frank Bailey and an Alaska State Trooper from Ketchikan . The recording shows Bailey acted inappropriately by suggesting that he was speaking for the Governor and the First Gentleman.

"I am truly disappointed and disturbed to learn that a member of this administration contacted the Department of Public Safety regarding Trooper Wooten," Governor Palin said. "At no time did I authorize any member of my staff to do so."

"It is apparent that comments I made to a Department of Public Safety official regarding Trooper Wooten improperly and incorrectly implied that I was acting on behalf of the governor and/or her husband," said Bailey. "That was wrong."

"At no time did either the Governor or Todd Palin direct me, or imply that I should try to influence any employee to have Trooper Wooten fired," Bailey added. "In fact, with the exception of the briefing with the Governor's security detail immediately after the election, I have never discussed Wooten with the Governor."

Governor Palin has directed all of her staff to cooperate fully with Branchflower.

A copy of the recording can be found at: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/audio/FrankBaileyCDaudio.mp3