'Troopergate' Probe Could Dog Palin on the Campaign Trail

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Legislature's investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner is due to conclude in late October — days before the election — ensuring the case will shadow her vice-presidential campaign.

At issue is whether Palin abused her office by pressuring Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire a state trooper, Mike Wooten, who was locked in a bitter divorce and custody fight with Palin's sister. Palin says Monegan was dismissed over budget policy, not the trooper.

The Legislature voted unanimously in July to hire an independent investigator. Lawmakers of both parties have resisted calls to delay the inquiry, saying it predates her national selection.

Palin initially pledged full cooperation; her allies in Juneau have since questioned the investigation's timing. The McCain campaign says the facts are on her side.

In Alaska, the episode has complicated the governor's reformer image. She built her career challenging the state's Republican establishment, including a victorious run against an incumbent governor of her own party.

"Up here, everybody knows everybody, and every family fight eventually involves a trooper," an Anchorage political columnist wrote. "The Lower 48 is about to learn more about Alaska than it ever wanted to know."

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Associated Press writers contributed to this report.

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