Republican VP pick Palin hires lawyer over Alaska inquiry

JUNEAU, Alaska - Republican vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin has hired a private lawyer to represent her in an investigation that she abused her powers as Alaskan governor, her office confirmed on Monday.

Palin is being investigated by Alaska's legislature over allegations arising from the sacking of the state's public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, who was fired earlier this year.

The probe was triggered after Internet reports that Monegan was removed because he refused to fire a state trooper who was the governor's former brother-in-law that the Palin family regarded as a "loose cannon".

Palin's deputy press secretary Sharon Leighow confirmed Palin had hired Anchorage attorney Thomas Van Flein to represent her and other members of the governor's office involved in the probe.

"I can confirm that she hired the attorney," Leighow told AFP, without providing further details.

AFP has also obtained a copy of a letter sent by Palin's lawyers to Steve Branchflower, the special counsel hired by the Alaskan legislature to investigate the case.

In a letter dated August 29, Van Flein requested that the probe be handled by the state's personnel board as well as witness statements, documents and all other material relevant to the case.

However, Alaskan senator Hollis French, who is overseeing the legislative investigation, rejected both requests in a letter released to media on Monday.

"Governor Palin has repeatedly stated that she has nothing to hide and that she and her administration will cooperate fully with this investigation," French wrote.

French also refused to hand over materials requested by Palin's lawyer.

"It would be highly unusual for an investigator to share information with one of the targets of the investigation," French wrote. "I am unaware of any precedent for such an arrangement."

French added that he expected Palin and other officials to give fixed dates for depositions later this month by September 5.

The investigation – dubbed "Troopergate" – followed Monegan's dismissal in July. Palin has consistently denied that she put pressure on Monegan to fire the trooper involved, describing the allegations as "outrageous" and "false".

However, it emerged on August 13 that there had been more than 20 calls, emails and other communications from Palin's office to employees at Monegan's Department of Public Safety.