Today the Anchorage Daily News reported that Alaska’s lawmakers are renewing calls for Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes to resign. State Senator Hollis French, since reportedly reviewing hundreds of state documents that outline Renkes central role in the Taiwan-Alaska coal deal, stated that the evidence of an ethics breach is overwhelming. Former United States Attorney Wev Shea called Renkes “totally unfit” to be Alaska’s attorney general. State Representative Mike Hawker criticized Renkes silence stating that “Pleading the fifth is not the best course of action when one wants to clear their name.” Alaska’s House Majority Leader John Coghill stated that “It looks like a serious ethical problem. If he can’t dispel it, he should step down.”
On December 5, 2004 the Anchorage Daily News disclosed information from documents released by the Alaskan Governor’s office that contradicts Renkes public statements regarding his role in the Taiwan-Alaska coal deal. These documents include a May 7, 2004 letter reportedly written by Renkes from Governor Frank Murkowski to Taiwan’s Secretary General Kang Ning-Hsian.
Renkes’ judgment concerns legislators
ETHICS: Republicans troubled; Democrats again call for resignation.
By PAULA DOBBYN
Anchorage Daily News
December 7, 2004
Renkes mixed personal, state business (12/5/04)
TAIWAN: Documents show Alaska’s attorney general was at the heart of effort to sell coal and coal-drying technology.
By PAULA DOBBYN
Daily News reporter
December 5, 2004
Alaska Attorney General’s letter (12/5/04)
From: Governor Frank Murkowski
To: Secretary General Kang
Date: May 7, 2004
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