Worley Witch Hunt

The Gadsden Times reports this morning that the Attorney General's office has issued seven subpoenas to various institutions regarding financial transactions of Secretary of State Nancy Worley.

 

While not providing details of the information sought, a spokesperson for Attorney General Troy King said that the subpoenas are "are instruments that allow law enforcement agencies access to information".  The subpoenas were issued to Compass Bank, Wachovia Bank and Regions Bank as well as the State Comptroller's office. Additionally, a subpoena was served on the state's Information Systems Division, the agency that oversees the state's phone and computer systems.

 

Worley said she is unaware of the subpoenas. However, Worley claimed that King and Beth Chapman, her opponent for Secretary of State in November, want to use the subpoenas to hurt her politically.

 

Worley's rancor was not limited to King and Chapman.  According to the article, Worley accused a reporter for the New York Times Regional Newspapers and one of her staff members of being on a "witch hunt" to get her.

 

Worley, speaking to the reporter said, "You have been on a political witch hunt since the day I took office.  You have a special friend and totally have been on a witch hunt, you and (secretary of state elections division employee) Ed Packard."

 

Packard is reported to have responded, "Whatever that means, I'm not on a witch hunt out to get her. I've got a long record of public service, and if I've done anything, it is to assure the people of the state I'll assure accountability."

 

I guess it's natural for a politician to want to blame all of this on election year politics. It's a new twist, at least for me, to see that Worley is blaming a particular reporter and staff member of being in cahoots going after her.

 

As this blog has pointed out on multiple times, though, Worley has a pathetic record in office, a record that cannot be explained away as the product of mere partisanship, vindictive reporting, or a disgruntled employee.

 

It will be interesting to see how this development unfolds, to see what financial dealings the Attorney General is reviewing, especially since Worley has made proclamations of being a stern steward of public resources.