Judge: Palin aides must testify

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- An Alaska judge ruled Thursday that an investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin can go forward and said her aides must respond to legislative subpoenas.

A legislative committee is holding hearings on Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner, allegedly because he refused to fire her former brother-in-law, a state trooper who was divorced from the governor's sister. The episode, known widely as Troopergate, has dogged Palin since her nomination as Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate.

Talis Colberg, the state attorney general and a Palin appointee, said he has not yet decided whether to appeal, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

"I'm going to talk to the clients before I talk to you," he said.

Colberg's suit to block the subpoenas was merged with a suit by five Republican state legislators seeking to stop the investigation.

Thomas Van Flein, a lawyer representing the governor and her husband, said he expects Todd Palin to testify in the investigation.