In pursuit of Wooten
Last week I received a tip from a source that the workers compensation file for Governor Sarah Palin's ex-brother in law State Trooper Mike Wooten was requested to be sent to Juneau at request of the governor's office.
You'll remember the much publicized Frank Bailey recorded phone call to another State Trooper where Bailey discussed at length the confidential details contained in Wooten's file.
A quick email to Sharon Leighow in the governor's office last week drew an immediate response that the governor's office did not request the file. However today, I was sent a copy of a routing slip and a cover sheet showing that the file was in fact requested on August 21, 2008 by Mike Monagle in Juneau. (attached)
Monagle is listed on the state's website as the program director for the Fisherman's Fund and an employee of the workers compensation division. What is not clear is why he would be reviewing the file instead of a higher level director given the high profile nature of the Wooten situation.
Today Leighow again denied it was requested by the governor's office and referred me to Mr. Monagle. In an interview, he stated that he had requested the file after reading my blog last week questioning out loud how Frank Bailey gained access to information that he shouldn't have had. He said he wanted to see the file to make sure that nothing untowards was going on.
The interesting thing about the files movement is Monagale stated that although the state keeps a computer log of when files go between departments, they do not keep track of who see the contents of those files.
When I asked Monagle if it was normal for him to request a file to review; he answered no.
In addition, he said that although it is common for files to be shared with specific divisions (i.e. risk management), there are always memorandums of understanding so they know why and how the information is going to be used.
This is getting stranger by the day. Not to mention the question still remains; how did Frank Bailey find out about the confidential information in Wooten's file and why was he sharing it with another state employee?
Maybe somebody should pick up the phone, call Bailey on his paid vacation and ask him.
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