ANOTHER GOP NARRATIVE COLLAPSES

For the Bill Clinton haters and their allies like Sean Hannity, Ken Starr is a hero. To normal people, he's a good example of the unscrupulous abuse of power. The latter view is even shared in Alaska (h/t SilentPatriot at Crooks & Liars)

Attorney challenges Monegan firing inquiry

By LISA DEMER
ldemer@adn.com

Published: September 2nd, 2008 12:01 AM
Last Modified: September 2nd, 2008 11:56 AM

The state has hired a private lawyer to represent Gov. Sarah Palin's office in the Legislature's investigation into the firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The lawyer already has challenged whether lawmakers even have authority to oversee the inquiry.

The state Department of Law hired Thomas Van Flein, an Anchorage attorney with expertise in employment law and professional liability, because Attorney General Talis Colberg has a potential conflict of interest and shouldn't represent the governor, Van Flein said Monday.

"Our concern is that Hollis French turns into Ken Starr and uses public money to pursue a political vendetta rather than truly pursue an honest inquiry into an alleged ethics issue," Van Flein said in an interview.

"How does he explain the unanimous vote (to pursue the investigation) by the Republican-dominated Legislative Council?" French shot back.