Palin Implicated by Witness in Troopergate Probe

[Blue_In_AK]

http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/359.html?task=view

Jason Leopold
The Public Record
Monday, September 29, 2008

An Alaska woman who owns a company that processes workers’ compensation claims in the state has told an independent investigator that she was urged by the office of Gov. Sarah Palin to deny a benefits claim for Palin’s ex brother-in-law, a state trooper who was involved in an ugly divorce and child custody dispute with Palin’s sister, despite evidence that the claim appeared to be legitimate, according to state officials who were briefed about the conversation.

Murlene Wilkes, the proprietor of Harbor Adjusting Services in Anchorage, had originally denied that she was pressured by Gov. Palin’s office to deny state trooper Mike Wooten’s claim for workers compensation benefits.

But Wilkes changed her story two weeks ago when she was subpoenaed by Steven Branchflower, the former federal prosecutor who was appointed in July to probe allegations Gov. Palin, Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, abused her office by abruptly ousting Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, state officials knowledgeable about her conversation with Branchflower said.

Monegan has said he felt pressured by Gov. Palin, her husband, Todd, and several of her aides to fire Wooten. Branchflower’s investigation centers on whether Palin fired Monegan because he refused to fire Wooten.

...(more).... http://www.pubrecord.org/component/content/359.html?task=view

[sad sally]

1. Todd Palin's involvement?

While it's understandable that Mr. Palin was upset about his former brother-in-law, his involvement as the Governor's spouse in "investigating" Wooten's workers comp claim is just plain strange.

Those of us living outside of Alaska have been told by Gov Palin that her "dude" is a very busy man: fishing boat owner/operator, North Slope blue collar worker, heavily involved in rearing five kids. And never seems to be more than two steps behind her on the VP campaign trail. Was he this close during her Gov race?

These two statements in the article support that strangeness:

"The same month Wooten started receiving workers compensation benefits, Todd Palin began following Wooten around “snapping pictures of him,” Cyr said.

Wilkes told Branchlower that she received phone calls and personal visits from Palin officials, including Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, and was told to deny Wooten’s application for worker’s compensation claims because he lied about his physical condition, these people said."

[blm]

2. They both sound like major nutcases and typical Republican operatives.

.