TPM on Troopergate: Additional evidence of a centralized effort to protect Palin

[dkf]

Palin, Aide, Have Same Lawyer
By Zachary Roth - September 8, 2008, 5:29PM

We learned on Friday that seven witnesses last week cancelled their scheduled depositions in the Sarah Palin Trooper-Gate investigation. This came after Palin's lawyer asserted in a court filing last week that the governor would not herself testify unless the probe were taken out of the hands of the legislature.

But there's additional evidence of a centralized effort to protect Palin. Another possible witness in the case, Palin aide Ivy Frye, has hired Thomas Van Flein, the lawyer representing Palin herself. Asked by TPMmuckraker this afternoon about her role in the inquiry, Frye, described in news reports as a "special assistant" to Palin, responded: "You can call my attorney if you'd like," and named Van Flein.

Palin's office has claimed executive privilege on a group of emails sent this spring between Palin aides, including Frye. Van Flein did not immediately return a request for comment.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/palin_aide_have_same_lawyer.php

[CoffeeCat]

1. Why did those witnesses cancel their depositions?

If you are being deposed, you can't just "cancel."

Maybe my understanding of a deposition is off, but I thought when you were deposed,
you gave your statement and answered the questions--whether you liked it or not.

If these people were voluntarily agreeing to be deposed, and now they're not--then
if there are no witnesses, then this blows the case, correct?

What about the guy who got fired, and the BIL? They're the principals in this.
Aren't they enough to demonstrate that she used her power as Gov to have the
guy fired when he wouldn't fire her BIL?

It looks like they're going to win at making this a non-issue.

[dkf]

3. I think they are going to be subpoenaed.

[AndyTiedye]

2. "I want you all to stonewall it, let them plead the Fifth Amendment, cover up, or anything else"

[nc4bo]

4. There's a dead body in the closet, you just wait and see. Dirty little secret in there...

Gosh I hope they don't let up and keep pushing.

[dkf]

5. They tried to replace the Dem in charge of this thing with a Repub,

but it didn't work.

They'll do anything. Must be something there.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. Some "reformer"

Seems to me if she is really serious about "reform" and "change" then she should submit herself to the investigative process and let the chips fall where they may. It would be nice if Obama/Biden, et. al would point out how her apparent obstruction of the investigation discredits McSame/Palin's message of "reform" and "change".