Alaska trooper says politics around Palin slowed arrest of Johnston in drug case
Published Monday, January 5, 2009
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!ANCHORAGE -- A drug investigator says authorities delayed the arrest of a woman tied to Gov. Sarah Palin's family until after the November election, in which Palin was the Republican vice presidential candidate, a newspaper reported.
Sherry Johnston - whose son Levi Johnston is engaged to Palin's daughter, Bristol - was arrested Dec. 18 on six felony drug counts. She is accused of selling Oxycontin, a strong prescription painkiller.
Investigator Kyle Young sent an e-mail to the Public Safety Employees Association saying the search warrant of Johnston's house was delayed for political reasons, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
"It was not allowed to progress in a normal fashion, the search warrant WAS delayed because of the pending election and the Mat Su Drug Unit and the case officer were not the ones calling the shots," Young wrote in the Dec. 30 e-mail.
The warrant was delivered the same day as Sherry Johnston's arrest.
Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters insisted the case was handled fairly and said no one in the governor's office knew troopers were investigating until Sherry Johnston's house was searched.
After the house was searched, Masters said he called Palin's chief of staff, Mike Nizich, to alert him of a potential media frenzy.
Col. Audie Holloway, the troopers' director, also vigorously disputed that there was anything irregular in how the case was handled.
Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin recently announced the birth of their son. The baby, Tripp, is the governor's first grandchild.
Palin and the Public Safety Employees Association, which represents troopers, have sparred over a high-profile dispute that became known as Troopergate.
At the center was former commissioner Walt Monegan, whom some say was dismissed because he would not fire a trooper involved with a messy divorce with Palin's sister.
A Legislative Council found that Palin had abused her office but the firing was legal since Monegan was an at-will employee. A subsequent investigation by the Alaska State Personnel Board found there was no probable cause to believe Palin or any other state official violated ethics laws. Palin maintains that Monegan was ousted over budget disagreements.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Surprised? Kinda like how Levi is getting special treatment in becoming an electrical apprentice, passing all the people on the waiting list and breaking the rule of needing a diploma first.
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story...
This looks like a lose-lose situation for the law enforcement people. If they had gone ahead and arrested that gal in September (like they would have had there been no political calculus) they'd have been accused of playing politics, but delaying the arrest until after the election left them wide open to being accused of - drum roll - playing politics. It looks like they threw in on Palin's side all the way on this one, which really puts to lie all the complaints that they're out to get her.
C'mon brianbb98, roadtrip says this is a non-story and we should learn that is just the way things are in the real world. Dirty politics as usual.
I agree that they had to wait it out for Gov Palin's sake. If they had brought it out during election times, the media would have insisted she speak to the charges, which would have been unfair - it's not even her family. I can't tell you how much trouble my sister-in-laws family has been in - I don't want to speak or associate myself with it in any way, shape or form. It wouldn't be appropriate or fair to me.
62- Fair or not they obviously played the arrest to Palin's greatest advantage, short of not arresting that gal at all. The question is whether law enforcement in Alaska should be operating this way. No one would have heard of that Johnston kid or his mom had Palin not played Johnston and her daughter as political theater in August. Johnston's mom would have been arrested in September like any other perp in a drug operation and it wouldn't even have made the paper.
Its just another attempt by the PSEA to grind an axe with Gov Palin after the Wooten issue
okay so the police knew about this woman selling an RX drug that has been proven to hurt people very seriously if taken w/o medical supervison and they allowed this to go on for several months??
Wow......
Do we have a news story yet?
If we ignore anything that isn't 'on point', this is what's left:
... "Investigator Kyle Young sent an e-mail to the Public Safety Employees Association saying the search warrant of Johnston's house was delayed for political reasons."
... "Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters insisted the case was handled fairly and said no one in the governor's office knew troopers were investigating until Sherry Johnston's house was searched."
... "Col. Audie Holloway, the troopers' director, also vigorously disputed that there was anything irregular in how the case was handled."
We can speculate all day long, but what we know so far is:
1. A sensational, but unsubstantiated, accusation was made through improper channels.
2. Two people who are in the proper chain of command have stated that the accusation is incorrect.
Whithout further information, the accusation is without merit and this 'story' is nothing more than a rumor.
I have come to expect this level of journalistic integrity from the Anchorage Daily News, but would hope that Daily News Miner would hold themselves to a higher standard, as they claim to be a 'newspaper of record'.
Please let us know when you have actual news.
Mike Prax
You can not tell me that Palin's people did not know the investigation was going on, and did not do spin control on this investigation. What kind of person would keep a drug dealer on the street for her own personal gain?
Wow! I do not consider myself a Palin fan but find it fascinating how people react to these kinds of stories. Big deal! Who cares that Palin's-daughter's-boyfriend's-mother was arrested for drugs? Did it affect her job as governor of our state? Probably not, just another story to be put in People magazine. Get over it.
As I see it, "Sherry Johnston" lost a very good second chance to go straight.
Don't you think the Mom would have known enough to "not do drugs" when your kid is dating the Governor's daughter? At this point, I wonder if she tried selling some to Palin?
Drugs are for losers.
Cheers to law enforcement on this one for, drawing the line and keeping the peace.
Speedstick,
Those of us who aren't omniscient presume that an individual is innocent until proven guilty and place the burden of prof upon the person making the accusation.
In this case, we have one person making an accusation through improper channels and two people who have the appropriate authority and are in a position to know contradicting the accusation.
The Spanish inquisitors assumed that people were guilty until proven innocent, but they were fair enough to let someone off if the testimony in their favor was two to one. We should be at least as compassionate and objective as the inquisitors.
What about holding back on the Governor of IL Chicago politician Blago until after Barack Obama was elected? That again is just an association of his while in political office.
Sarah Palin can't pick who her daughter's boyfriends parents are or does it ever indicate that they are friends. I have never met my daughter's boyfriend's mother or father even though we all live in AK.
SLIDER: 62- Fair or not they obviously played the arrest to Palin's greatest advantage, short of not arresting that gal at all. The question is whether law enforcement in Alaska should be operating this way. No one would have heard of that Johnston kid or his mom had Palin not played Johnston and her daughter as political theater in August. Johnston's mom would have been arrested in September like any other perp in a drug operation and it wouldn't even have made the paper.
Just knowing one of Sarah Palin's daughters could have put this in the news.
Mike Prax/justliberty: This story is from the AP, not a story by the newsminer.
Who are the "authorities" who held up the warrant? This is the critical question, I think.
might as well have kept Murkowski!
Oxycontin, isn't that what Rush Limbaugh was busted for? Hey, if it was OK for Rush then it should be OK for the Palin in-laws (outlaws), beings that they are both such red necks and all..
Palin should pardon her future son in laws mother.. Family "values" and all..
At the very least Palin should allow her to attend the wedding. She could sit in the church in shackles and leg irons. Wouldn't that make the TV ratings soar!
Smilla- That pretty much sums up the problem with being a celebrity, doesn't it? Couldn't pay me to be one.
Mike Prax, thank you for that reasoned response. In the haste to make Sarah Palin look bad, people will go to any length. Thank you for bringing us back to our Constitutional principles.
akbearable: Ha! Now that's a GREAT way to treat the Mother-in-Law!
So the United States Secret Service was on the job and protecting her while she was dealing.. Heh.. Heh.. Heh.. The Secret Service was on the job and protecting free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Only in America.. Priceless!
Did all this transpire in the same time frame when the guv thought she was a pitbull with lipstick???
What could the PSEA do about this incident? The PSEA is not a law enforcement agency, it is the union. Trying to make Sarah out to be in collusion with the mother in law to be? Another attempt to smear the Governor?
Goldstreamer, I happen to agree with you on this one. I am neutral when it comes to politics in general, however I tend to lean toward the conserative side. I don't see how GOv Palin could be held responsible for what this woman did or even connected with her actions. I have a teenage son and he has a girlfriend. If his girlfriends mother got arrested for drugs or anything else, would I be connected in a news story because her daughter and my son were an item? I don't think so and I don't think it is right that the governor is dragged into this when most likely she had no knowledge of what was going on in the first place.
Open blog to the Fairbanks Daily News Miner:
The journalism & editing personnel have played a prominent part in this scandalous repeated media assualt on innocent people not involved in the crime. This is insulting, unethical, your contribution, to our community in journalism is deteriorating to a hazardous level of hazmat.
Stop making your journalism a tool against innocent people, creating innocent victims of your journalism.
.
Your stories & articles need a "Suggest removal" with your total disregard of respect to the innocent people & making them victims of your journalism & professionalism.
.
This is another example of extremely foul journalism used as a weapon against innocent people.
P. Davenport
how is she an "innocent person"? because thats what you want her to be? it don't work like that?
What I'd like to know is why the AST thought they had to make that issue public. What a crock; so much for having a PR person.
"A drug investigator says authorities delayed the arrest of a woman tied to Gov. Sarah Palin's family until after the November election, in which Palin was the Republican vice presidential candidate."
I am curious as to who the "authorities" are. Who has the power to delay the issuance of a warrant and a subsequent arrest? Were these state-level "authorities", federal-level "authorities", or other? Who, what, when, where, how, and most importantly, WHY?
Also, "a newspaper reported." Which newspaper? We need more facts before we defend, deny, or deflect responsibility.
majast2211
how is she an "innocent person"?
P_D
Sherry Johnston was arrested Dec. 18 on six felony drug counts. She is accused of selling Oxycontin, a strong prescription painkiller.
There is 1 person charged & arrested & pleaded. 1 only.
Gov. Palin was not charged or arrested. "innocent person".
Bristol Palin was not charged or arrested. "innocent person".
Levi Johnston was not charged or arrested. "innocent person".
*
majast2211
because thats what you want her to be?
P_D
This crime is about Sherry Johnston & should not be about anyone else not directly involved in the charged crimes.
*
majast2211
it don't work like that?
P_D
In the judicial system it does but not in journalism apparently.
majast take a moment & try to see my side a bit. I'm not pro Palin or con Palin, nor am I pro Obama or con Obama. My views on this is strictly nonpolitical but my views are very judicial & humanitarian based on this.
Regardless who is accused of illegally selling Oxycontin or any other "hard core" substance the focus on the priorities of the "crime & perpetrator/s" & it's process. If media focus is not done on the "crime & perpetrator/s" we as a society loses. Simple. Sherry Johnston needs taken off the street.
This article should only be about an oxygen thief accused of illegally selling Oxycontin on our streets, caught on recordings & videos.
Political views on illegally selling Oxycontin or other "hardcore" drugs on our streets or any related views that relate with the crime.
We do not get to pick who our relatives are or who is related to extended family or our in-laws.
I promise a genuine article/s worth all the tumultuous bashing on either Palin or Obama or any of the other politicians will be or is in the headlines. In fact a few of our local politicians are in todays newspaper.
I honestly feel this whole case is being mishandled in the media. Is the media opening a door for a mistrail by involving Palin, Bristol, Levi in the headlines & stories. Possibly. I could see Sherry Johnston thinking keep it tied to Palin I'll get off easy. Possibly. I could see someone trying to use Bristol's & Levi's baby as a media focus to keep the focus off Sherry Johnston. Possibly.
Not everything is about politics or religion as most try to make it into or out of. This is about dealing "hardcore" drugs in our streets.
Simple.
Lets see, If you are Republican it is a non-story, if you are a Democrat it is a story. So what else is new? If it was about Obama's family, everyones comments would be reversed.
It is only a matter of time before you realize how each commenter leans politically, and anything they say becomes worthless.
"Hey, if it was OK for Rush then it should be OK for the Palin in-laws (outlaws)."
You mean Rush was on Oxycontin? Rush, the band? Is that how Geddy Lee got that "snip-n-fix time at the doggy-kennel" voice of his?
There is unrest in Wasila
There is trouble for the Queen
For the Johnstons give her bad press
With an "I'm not guilty" plea
The trouble with the Johnstons
(and they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Palins are just too lofty
And they hog the big spotlight
But the Palins can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Johnstons
Can’t keep their troubles in the shade?
There is trouble in the polls
And the voters all have fled
As the Johnstons scream `we're inlaws!`
And the Palins, just shake their heads
So the Johnstons hired a lawyer
And demanded equal press
’the Palins are just too seedy
We will make their lives a mess’
Now there’s no more happy Palins
'Cause the world knows all their flaws
And the Johnstons became their inlaws
By shotgun,
As,
We all saw ...
(I always did hate both Rushes. The crappy band and the big fat loudmouth commentator.)
truthinnews
Lets see, If you are Republican it is a non-story, if you are a Democrat it is a story.
P_D
Lets see, I'm not Republican it is a drug-story, I'm not a Democrat it is a drug-story.
I'm neither Republican nor Democrat who needs the drama & truama of either party or the personal bashing for being one or the other.
Republicans & Democrats are kinda like street gangs all is fair to do or say or take or abuse or assault or kill or harm or hurt or cause to the other side. Bloods & Crips are kinda like Republicans & Democrats all is fair to do or say or take or abuse or assault or kill or harm or hurt or cause to the other side. All over Republicans & Democrats political sides VS. Bloods & Crips territorial territory.
It's all political & misguided & misplaced.
Good one, TAC. Post of the year so far. Should be in the running for the Big Award at the end of the year for 'Best post in 2009'.
dog
I wonder if this is somehow going to go back to the Nat'l Enquirer (I think) story this summer about Bristol & Levi doing drugs? That would put a different spin on the whole story.
We are neither democrats or republicans ... just look at each issue on it's merits ... or lack thereof.
P_D, I think that is what I was saying. I've yet to see either side give me a candidate that I like. By the time you get to the top of either party, you are so compromised that you don't know what you stand for.
truthinnews, 10:37 pm comment;
You nailed it, buddy.
truthinnews: You ever see "The Candidate" with Robert Redford? They run him for senate, and by the time he gets elected he know longer knows who he is. Wikipedia has a nice summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Candida...
I always thought that movie was ripe for a sequel. Have Redford as an old, entrenched, and utterly corrupted senator getting challenged from below and trying to rediscover who he was decades earlier when he first got into that racket. And have him fail to do so miserably.
Go Todd Palin!
2012 Baby!
What was the exact date the guy made the phone call to the Palins to give them a heads up on the warrants?
So what about the subsequent backpedalling by the trooper's union? "An inquiry Monday by officials for the Public Safety Employees Association concluded that investigators did not delay a search warrant for political reasons, said union president Rob Cox." Why isn't the Newsminer reporting this? This kind of leaves all the Palin haters on this blog with egg on their faces.
Au contraire Native Sun,
The Gov and First Dude have at the least a softspot, if not direct affiliation with the AIP. The AIP is as anti-patriotic and anti-American as it gets. Secession is plain and simple anti-US and can interpretted in no other way. Anyone who thinks this 'politician' would take Alaska, or the Country's best interest to heart needs a head x-ray.
My opinion is that those who grab onto a 'non-story' such as the Johnston drug bust, are doing so out of fear. Fear that Palin, in some weird line up of the stars, could possibly get to a higher office. Just like dumb dumb Bushy was able to do, and do serious damage to the US, just like dumb dumb Bushy did. So any story that could possibly shed light on the real Barbie is to be reveled in. It simply helps to validate peoples impressions.
It will be a great day when Palin is no longer in Alaska or any other politics. Personally I am not worried about that though, her lack of being able to complete sentences in any coherent manner, plus all the weird family stuff going on will just continue to make her a 'non-story' in 2012. Well read, quick thinkers are going to smash her during the primaries if she chooses to run next go around. Sit back and enjoy the comedy, it should be fun.
The 'egg' has been, and is still on those that blindly wave the flag for this person. Stay tuned to drug addict Rush, he'll set you straight on all this.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.