Conservative Anchorage political activist Russell Biggs has recently uncovered evidence showing that several Anchorage Assembly members have been destroying public records that show collusion to manipulate public policy within the assembly meetings.
Biggs’ said his public records request reveals that assembly members Chris Constant and Meg Zaletel, along with former member Forrest Dunbar (who was elected to the State Senate), sent messages between themselves or individuals outside the official meetings in order to “coordinate the vote.”
“After several months and lots of money, we now know that Forrest Dunbar, Chris Constant, and Meg Zaletel are using several methods to evade the Alaska Public Records and Records Retention laws, and that the municipal clerk has not enforced the compliance with those laws,” Biggs said. “After we requested all electronic messages sent in the last 90 days during the assembly meetings (and paid thousands of dollars to get them), Chris Constant produced nothing except a statement that he deletes messages automatically every seven days.”
Deleting communications that pertain to legislation, however, is a violation of public records and retention laws.
Biggs’ public records request shows that Dunbar admitted using Signal (the secret message auto delete app) and then claimed it was because he had been cyberattacked.
“Meg Zaletel also claimed that a software update deleted her texts, and failed to provide an explanation why those public records would not be easily recoverable (or why they were not saved to begin with), also violating the public records retention laws,” Biggs said.
He noted that the clerk has failed to enforce compliance on the assembly members, which is one of her duties.
“This is exactly the same type of behavior that has landed a slew of state legislators in legal trouble over the last few years,” Biggs added, “because they believe that one, these cases won’t end up in Superior Court or Supreme Court if necessary, and two, that Signal won’t produce those records under a subpoena. They will.”
Biggs is considering legal action against the clerk.
“What that will look like is uncertain, but you can bet that the same legislators that redacted hundreds of pages of their communications with the Blue Alaskan/AK Dems Communications Director and then sealed the executive sessions indefinitely without disclosing why are going to fight this tooth and nail,” he said. “The ADN has chosen not to report on any of the prior public records settlements involving the clerk, or two separate letters to the editor that explained the circumstances that forced the muni to settle these cases for several thousand dollars.”
19 Comments
They should never hold public office ever again.
Men of God it is time you stand up. We need a law suit and criminal prosecution of these unapologetic criminals.
Wow, at some point I knew their dirty ways would come out but this tops the cake. Good luck fools, you all gonna need it.
Same excuse we hear across our many of our public offices! Thank you for sharing this Joel. We need to expose all of the crooks and their crooked ways!
It’s about time this was brought to light! Excellent reporting. Luke 12:2-3 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
And all the people said, AMEN!
Amen!
There was never any doubt about their corruption and dishonesty, it was just time before it was exposed.
Well, well, well what fo we have here? Looks like the corruption is starting yo run to deep to cover it up. It’s about time to put a stop to all this nonsense. Let’s stop Forrest Dunbar before the state level gets to bad off, if it hasn’t already. I think it’s time the courts are filled eith elected officials. Do we have any left that aren’t corrupt? I think a few from the valley maybe, but that’s about all. I for one can’t wait for this to play out. Maybe we will get a lame I’m sorry from them like Biden gave for Groping that Lady. I say through them all in prison and let them think about it for years to come. Truth and justice prevail.
Sounds like it’s time to do some recalling of said perpetrators! What goes around comes around! NOW!
I’m confused with the previous comments!? What makes any of you even partially confident that prosecution’s will happen? These days evidence doesn’t seem to matter! Believe me I hope like hell you all are right, but I’m not holding out anymore hope in this system!!!
Amy Demboski, otherwise known as chalkboard voice is after Dave Bronson the mayor, now that will go, and these same communists will relish every tidbit!
The whole thing is disgusting!!!
Dave, did you go to the Get rid of Ranked Choice Voting in Anchorage tonight?
I have answered your question, Joel simply hasn’t posted it yet
That’s what happed in Palmer and the citizens got enough signatures for a re-call and then whopped them in the re-call. There were more voters who came out in person to support the re-call than are typically voting in local elections. (go figure!) The recall ousted 3 liberal assembly members. Maybe Anchorage should do the same?
We tried to recall a couple of the dirty rotten scoundrels… Anchorage voters are just too stupid to know a recall is GOOD for us cause dark evil Soros money (lisa, mary, et al benefit from mega dark money getting them elected) has a much liuder voice. We are just too stupid and hVe deserved these evil oath breaking, freak flag flying, corrupt as hell, MISrepresentatives. I didnt vote for them….
Pride before the fall..
Let us hope that it is swift and sure.
Thank you Russell Biggs for so much work and time. And thank you Joel for reporting. Seems honesty and integrity are an option in public office anymore. I pray the truth will come to light in this and that there will be accountability.
Go after their bond.
I am with Dave Maxwell in hoping we see something done with these criminals but it will be difficult to bring any of them to justice….they have defied the laws over and over again and gotten away with it as they truly believe they are above the law. Thanks God for Andy Biggs as he keeps his shoulder to the wheel, he is making a difference for us all..
CORRUPTION AT THE TOP! Municipal Clerk needs to be fired! No compensation as she has already been paid a lot for her deception! Thanks for digging. This assembly is Awful!
Sorry isn’t enough. Deliberate efforts to not preserve public records is illegal and should be prosecuted if at all possible. These people were fully aware of their responsibility to preserve the records and which records met that definitation. They need to be held accountable. The corruption is spreading to other areas of government and business as lack of intregity becomes accepted as ok. This is a dangerous trend and it will get worse if it is not stopped.