Alaska Employment Law

Juneteenth Day lawsuit:  U. S. District Judge Timothy Burgess has dismissed claims that then-Gov. Sarah Palin violated constitutional rights by failing to issue a Juneteenth Day proclamation in 2007.  Burgess held that the plaintiff (a D. C. resident who complained about Palin’s hiring practices of African-Americans) lacked standing.  Burgess conducted “Section 1915 screening” of the pro se plaintiff’s Complaint.  He also held that

the allegation that Palin told someone that she would appropriate money to a “to-be-formed Juneteenth Commission in Alaska” if this lawsuit would be dismissed rings more of settlement negotiations than an attempt at bribery.  Further, attempted bribery is a criminal offense, rather than a federal civil rights claim.

Royal v. Palin, 3:09-cv-00091 (D.Alaska Order of Dismissal of Dec. 28, 2009, )

Fraudulent license application:  The Big Game Commercial Services Board has permanently revoked an Assistant Guide License for breach of professional ethical standards because the guide’s application failed to disclose his conviction for Possession of Illegal Game.  The Board didn’t reach the issue of the guide’s alleged failure to disclose his addiction to or treatment for use of narcotics.  The Board, thus, affirmed the result recommended by ALJ Rebecca Pauli.  In the Matter of Donald Fernandez, OAH No. 09-0395-GUI (Decision & Order of Dec. 14, 2009)