Palin will not be subpoenaed in probe

JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Investigators plan to issue subpoenas in a probe of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of the state public safety commissioner, officials said Friday.

State Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat who is managing the Legislature's investigation into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, said investigators decided not to subpoena Palin. French said the decision was intended to cool off a growing standoff between the Legislature and Palin, the Republican nominee for U.S. vice president, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported.

"We just want the truth, clear the air," French said.

Legislators still intend to conduct an interview with Palin, and have moved up the date for finishing work on a report into the matter. Instead of the original release date of Oct. 31, the report is now scheduled to be issued Oct. 10.

The Alaska Public Safety Employees Association, which represents Alaska state troopers, has filed an ethics complaint against Palin, requesting an investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing in the disciplining of Trooper Michael Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law. Palin and members of her administration allegedly pressured former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire Wooten, and Palin fired Monegan after he refused.