The Daily MuckGov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), who is under investigation for possibly breaking ethics or personnel rules, has put an aide on paid leave until the investigation is finished. The investigation revolves around Palin’s firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan who claims he was pressured to fire Palin’s sister’s ex-husband who is a state trooper. (Anchorage Daily News)
Lawyers for indicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) submitted their list of questions for potential jurors to the D.C. district court yesterday. Stevens’ lawyers will ask jurors about their opinions on the oil industry, congressional corruption, and earmarks in the state of Alaska. (Anchorage Daily News)
Puerto Rican Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila (D) received a follow up indictment yesterday of five counts related to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was also issued to Vila’s senior aide and former campaign director and can carry as much as a 20 year sentence. The previous indictment was returned on March 24. (Department of Justice)
The oil industry has spent $55 million on lobbying so far this year, on pace to break its own industry record of $83 million according to to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan watchdog group. That figure is more than double the total amount spent by alternative energy groups and environmentalists combined. (CNN)
Former Biloxi attorney Paul Minor has been denied release from prison pending appeal. Minor, who was convicted of bribing former Mississippi state judges, attempted to get released so he could care for his wife who is terminally ill. Minor has called his prosecution political targeting from the U.S. attorney’s office. (Sun Herald)
A two person panel will consider whether to report Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons to the state Ethics Commission for his role in securing a $5,000 tax break on his property near Lamoille, Nevada. The tax break allowed Gibbons to pay only $40 in state taxes for 40 acres of land. (Las Vegas Sun)
