Judge in Monegan Investigation Lawsuite Recuses Himself

Judge Says to "Avoid Appearance of Impropriety" 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Judge John Suddock requested to be taken off the lawsuit brought by Alaska legislators who are suing to bring an end to the McCarthy-style investigation into Gov. Palin. Judge Suddock says that his reason for requesting reassignment in the case is “to avoid the appearance of impropriety…”

Kevin Clarkson, Esq., of Brena, Bell, & Clarkson and lead counsel in the case, said, “While we have no doubt that Judge Suddock would have acted fairly and impartially in this case, honorable public servants like Judge Suddock recuse themselves when there may be even the appearance of impropriety. What a stark contrast with Sen. Elton, Sen. French, and Mr. Branchflower, who are pressing on despite their conflicts of interest.”

This is the latest development in a case that has moved quickly since its filing yesterday. After the lawsuit filed yesterday alleging partisan politics and conflict of interest in the lead investigators, the Alaska Speaker of the House submitted a letter to Sen. Kim Elton saying that, as a previous supporter of the investigation, the investigation had gone awry and called for an immediate meeting of the Alaska Legislative Council. Likewise, the Alaska Attorney General released a statement in accordance with the lawsuit saying that those subpoenaed by the investigation would not be required to be present.

“This rogue ‘investigation’ is starting to fall apart,” said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation at Liberty Legal Institute and co-counsel in the case.

The case, filed yesterday on behalf of five Alaska legislators at the Third Judicial Court at Anchorage by Brena, Bell, & Clarkson and Liberty Legal Institute, cites the partisan politics of Sen. Hollis French and Sen. Elton, and the conflict of interest in lead investigator Stephen E. Branchflower’s alleged friendship with former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety Walt Monegan.