WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- An investigation into
a case that U.S. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's ethics
breaches was suspected would be completed by Oct. 10, three weeks earlier than
scheduled, said an Alaska House committee on Friday.
According to a statement released by
Alaska House Judiciary Chairman Jay Ramras, the probe was moved up than expected
to avoid a possible politically-motivated surprising blow to the female nominee
before the Nov. 4 election day.
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Republican vice presidential nominee
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin waves to the crowd at the 2008 Republican National
Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>> |
The statement also noted that the Alaska governor
would not receive a subpoena because she has vowed to cooperate with
investigators.
"We agreed that an earlier completion date was
achievable, and that it was fair to all sides. We are satisfied that the report
can be finished by no later than Oct. 10, 2008," it said.
The case, dubbed "Troopergate," was triggered after
reports saying the state's former Public Safety Commissioner, Walt Monegan, was
fired in July because he refused Palin's request to fire a state trooper, Mike
Wooten, who was the governor's ex-brother-in-law.
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United States Republican presidential
nominee Senator John McCain (L) poses with his vice presidential running
mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention in
St Paul, Minnesota, Sept. 3, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
However, Palin has repeatedly denied any meddling in
Monegan's dismissal and described the allegations as "outrageous" and "false."
According to a CNN report on Friday, Palin has
acknowledged that aides and members of her family repeatedly discussed Wooten
with Monegan or his department members, but noted that she did not use her
office to press for Wooten's firing.
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Republican vice-presidential nominee
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (L) sits next to Cindy McCain, wife of Republican
presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), at the 2008 Republican
National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>> |
In
an interview with CNN, Wooten said that he made mistakes before and has learnt
from those mistakes.
He also hailed Palin's nomination as the Republican
vice presidential candidate, which is "absolutely wonderful for the state of
Alaska."