McCain Camp Lawyer Illegally Advising In Alaska; Palin Attorney General In Hiding

For Alaskans who have been enjoying the blood sport that Sarah Palin's weaving and bobbing to avoid accountability in the Troopergate investigation has generated, last week there were two noteworthy new developments.

The first new development was the decision by the McCain presidential campaign to fly New York City attorney Edward O'Callaghan into Anchorage to elbow Palin attorney Tom Van Flein aside and assume command of the governor's effort to run out the clock on the investigation until after the November election.

O'Callaghan told Newsweek that "he and another McCain campaign lawyer (whom he declined to identify) are serving as legal 'consultants' to Thomas Van Flein, the Anchorage lawyer who at state expense is representing Palin and her office in the [Troopergate] inquiry. 'We are advising Thomas Van Flein on this matter to the extent that it impacts on the national campaign. I'm helping out on legal strategy.'"

The pickle O'Callaghan's wagging tongue has gotten its owner into is that, pursuant to Alaska Statute 8.08.230, a person who is not a member of the Alaska Bar who while physically present in Alaska "engages in the practice of law" is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. And in Alaska the "practice of law" includes "rendering legal consultation or advice."

It would be interesting to know what John McCain thinks about having a criminal serving on his legal team. It also would be interesting to know whether Talis Colberg, Sarah Palin's attorney general, intends to prosecute O'Callaghan. And if he doesn't, why not?

Which brings me to the second new development: Attorney General Talis Colberg.

Again, it would be interesting to know the extent to which Edward O'Callaghan and Tom Van Flein (who has now left the employ of the Alaska Department of Law to serve as Sarah and Todd Palin's personal attorney for the duration of the Troopergate investigation) participated in writing the letter that appeared over Colberg's signature encouraging witnesses in the case to ignore their subpoenas. A related interesting development is that after he signed that letter, Colberg reportedly flew into hiding somewhere in the Midwest. Since his departure, the Anchorage attorney rumor mill tom-toms have been pounding out speculation that, in so deep over his head that he's drowning, the vastly inexperienced Attorney General Colberg may soon resign from his ill-fated experiment with public service.

Read the entire article at AlaskaDispatch.

Comments

[thestructureguy]

He's not practicing las as defined by the Alaskan bar rules

Rule 63. Unauthorized Practice of Law - AS 08.08.230.

For purposes of AS 08.08.230 (making unauthorized practice of law a misdemeanor), "practice of law" is defined as:

(a) representing oneself by words or conduct to be an attorney, and, if the person is authorized to practice law in another jurisdiction but is not a member of the Alaska Bar Association, representing oneself to be a member of the Alaska Bar Association; and

(b) either (i) representing another before a court or governmental body which is operating in its adjudicative capacity, including the submission of pleadings, or (ii), for compensation, providing advice

or preparing documents for another which affect legal rights or duties.

(SCO 924 effective January 15, 1989)

[demfriend]

If Palin has handed over the control of Alaska to the GOP and the McCain camp while having sent/removed the Alaska AG out of the state then questions should be asked and answered clearly now. The people who are answering the phones for Palin isn't elected officials representing the people but people manipulating the situations. If this kind of showing and drama is being played out until after the election then what is next? This is obviously a cover up of abuse of power which shouldn't be put on hold like McCain is trying to do now with the first debate. That the people of Alaska who have elected people in theri government who are being hidden and sidelined while the people what have taken over the government illegally continue without oversight by anyone should put the fear in us all to have this as a blatent example of how McCain would hijack the government with anyone he wants, if he wins.

[TuFu]

IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS by the Alaska legislature, which should reconvene in emergency session, should be on the table with the obstruction of justice by the Republican thugs and McCain syncophants. Should Palin be impeached should be the issue.

[RaineyDay5]

INDEED!!!!

[GBartrem]

And these folks McCain/Palin are asking voters for a chance to run our country? Those two are running around on a stage somewhere. Both have their hair on fire and they are yelling to the crowd " Satan has done this to us". I hope the Democracts really smack those few ultra right wing republican't s silly.

[twiggy2]

the issues are:

palin is being investigated for abuse of power .

she and her husband have violated court ordered subpoena's

mccain is obstructing justice, by interfering in the investigation.

isn't this illegal? i am 100% certain if barak obama's vp had done the same, he would not be the nominee, would he?

they are not allowing reporters to ask unscripted questions.

they are denying reporters access to her foreign policy improv's.

is the mccain palin ticket above the law?

have they rewritten the rules as we watch?

are they setting in motion the new standard for the press in the mccain /palin regime?

how far will they go?

what is next ?

[ewoman]

This is a totalitarian takeover, the first sign of a police state in Alaska. I can't be at the rally on Sat. (can't afford it - it's my patriotic duty to bail out some financial institutions, from what I understand), but my thoughts will be with you as you stand for your rights.

[nowalnuts]

Sarah Palin has reminded me of Katherine Harris from day one and I just hope Alaskans and the rest of America will do more to fight this time than we did in 2000. Again we are watching a state being hijacked by the crazed right wing and this time they are being even more blatant about it, which I would have hoped would not even be possible.

[deliriousgod]

suborning witnesses. juicy

[tgram]

Posted by Alaska_Politics - Posted: September 22, 2008 - 8:33 pm
From Kathleen McCoy at the ADN's Alaska Newsreader --

“Green: 'They're attacking nice people, saying things that aren't true.”

Mother Jones mojo blog reports that Senate President Lyda Green is pursuing options that might allow the state Senate to convene and deal with Troopergate.

Calling herself a "raging Republican," Green says, she is "absolutely disgusted, embarrassed, and ashamed" by the McCain-Palin campaign's intervention in the Troopergate probe.

Green is alarmed by the McCain squad's use of hardball tactics and "the length to which they're going to impede and delay" the investigation. The local press conferences held by McCain-Palin aides, she adds, "are vile. They're attacking nice people, saying things that are not true. Walt Monegan has been respected in all circles. To see him used as a scapegoat is very disheartening."

Green said she is making calls and exploring whether she could call the Senate back into session to either instruct the attorney general to change his position, or to order those subpoenaed under the Legislative investigation to honor that call. Whether the Republican­-controlle­d House would go along is another question.

[Piatt]

I keep wondering how the people of Alaska feel about a political campaign usurping the roles of their duly elected officials. This investigation started out as a unanimous, bi-partisan effort to which the Governor said, "hold me accountable." The McCain campaign now seems to have taken over the state.

[AslanRules]

Mudflats puts Talis Colberg in Kansas; he'd probably prefer OZ right now!

[simonjl]

Palin.......the gift that keeps giving :-)

[LeawoodKansas]

I wondered how long it would take for the practicing bar in Alaska to point out the former US Attorney was illegally practicing law in Alaska. There is a proviso that lets US Attorneys practice law outside of their state, but he is a FORMER U.S. Attorney and now he has to play by the regular rules.

Slap him with an ethics complaint.

[YY2H8]

May we just ask Alaska to keep it's lunatic and corrupt politicians to itself?

Here is a reminder of another one of their "prizes" they have inflicted upon us.

http://digg.com/politics/Series_of_Tubes_MORE_INSANE_ALASKAN_POLITICIANS

Might be time for the lower 48 to say "Thanks, but NO THANKS!"

[kellygrrrl]

donate to AIP!!!!!

[YY2H8]

Yes, come to think of it....yes!

[garcohsf]

I'm afraid that lawyers who are licensed by one state routinely travel to other states to give advice to clients. I think it's quite a stretch to call this "illegal." What can get you in trouble is if you set up an office and routinely conduct business in a state in which you are not licensed.

[Mag44]

Well if I read this correctly they did set up office and chased Colberg the Alaska AG out of the state. If I were Alaskans I would make darn sure M/P didn't get into office. And don't be surprised if you're now paying double for this investigation since P let it go political. She allowed this to happen.

[readyfornewleadership]

I think you don't know what you are talking about