Sullygate: The complete bibliography

Wednesday, 10 March 2010
(bibliography last updated 27 April 2010)

“Sullygate” is my nickname for the putative insurance payout of $193,000 from the Anchorage municipal treasury to a trust — the George M. Sullivan Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust — led by George M. Sullivan’s son, Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, which was approved by the Anchorage Assembly by a 9-1 vote on February 16, 2010.  Perhaps it’s a biased nickname … but sorry to say that even on the face of it, this business is pretty darn fishy.

I wrote a really long analysis of it on Friday, 5 March 2010, called “Sullygate: If there is a contractual agreement, Mayor Sullivan, show us the contract” and since then I’ve been adding links to all the other posts, news stories, etc. that I’ve found at the bottom of that post.  Time to give this bibliography its own page. So here it is.

I’ll add to this bibliography as new items come out. If  I’m missing anything, please comment on this page & include a link.  Or you can send me a private tweet to my Twitter account @yksin or a private message via my Facebook page.

Bibliography of all things Sullygate

Municipality of Anchorage documents

These are all PDFs.

• 1982 Municipality of Anchorage documents relating to former Mayor George M. Sullivan’s life insurance. Contains the same documents provided in a PDF by the Anchorage Daily News, except that I’ve placed them in chronological order & provided bookmarks (table of contents).  This file includes the original resolutions by the Anchorage Assembly and the Commission on Salaries & Emoluments which authorized George M. Sullivan to be continued on the Municipality of Anchorage’s group insurance with Aetna.
• 2002 Wuerch administration emails relating to former Mayor George M. Sullivan’s life insurance. Contains the same documents provided in a PDF by the Anchorage Daily News, except that I’ve placed them in chronological order (as best I could) & provided bookmarks (table of contents).
• 2007 Begich administration emails. Contains the same documents provided in a PDF by the Anchorage Daily News, except slightly reordered & provided with bookmarks (table of contents).
• 2010 Assembly Resolution & memorandum relating to a payout of $193,000 to a trust in the name of former Mayor George M. Sullivan. Contains the same documents provided in a PDF by the Anchorage Daily News, except slightly reordered & provided with bookmarks (table of contents).
• Resolution No. AR 2010-92, a resolution of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly to authorize engaging the services of independent legal counsel to review and report to the Assembly on the legal and contractual obligations, if any, and the authority of the Assembly, if any, regarding payment of $193,000 in municipal funds to the George M. Sullivan Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, and providing for an appropriation. Assemblymember Harriet Drummond. Introduced at the 23 March 2010 Anchorage Assembly meeting; taken up again under item 11.B (Old Business) at 13 April 2010 Anchorage Assembly meeting, where it passed by a vote of 6–5 as amended. Amendment included removal of a provision requiring the Sullivan Trust to return the $193,000 until questions were resolved.
• Resolution No. AR 2010-105, a resolution of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly, regarding payment of $193,000 in municipal funds to the George M. Sullivan Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. Assemblymember Matt Claman. Introduced at the 23 March 2010 Anchorage Assembly meeting; tabled indefinitely (effectively killing it).
• 3/22/2010. AR 2010-33: “Memorandum to Assembly Chair Patrick Flynn and Assembly Members re: Appropriation for George M. Sullivan Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust” by Rhonda Fehlen Westover, Deputy Municipal Attorney. Municipality of Anchorage, Office of the Municipal Attorney.
• 3/23/2010. “Re: Request for Advisory Opinion 2010-1″ by Marissa K. Flannery, Chair, Municipality of Anchorage Board of Ethics.
• Resolution No. AR 2010–126, a resolution of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly requesting an advisory opinion from the Ethics Board with regard to actions by the Assembly under AR 2010-33 appropriating one hundred ninety three thousand dollars ($193,000.00) for disbursement to the George M. Sullivan Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. Assemblymember Harriet Drummond. Introduced at the 13 April 2010 Anchorage Assembly meeting; referred to the Assembly’s Ethics Committee (Bill Starr, Patrick Flynn, Harriet Drummond).  Taken up again at the April 27 Assembly meeting, where it failed by a vote of 7–4.

My posts

I’ve bolded the most important.

• 3/4/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-04: Sullygate” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Compilation from my Twitter feed.
• 3/5/2010. “Sullygate: If there is a contractual agreement, Mayor Sullivan, show us the contract” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Crossposted at Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis; Alaska Dispatch; Alaska Commons; Rootswire.
• 3/5/2010. “Credit the Sully Trust, Debit the Public Trust” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Satire from A Trustworthy Friend.
• 3/10/2010. “Sullygate update: A bibliography, Shannyn Moore’s guests, & Drummond’s resolution” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/10/2010. “Sullygate update 2: ‘Five administrations have been aware of this’” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/11/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-11: Sullygate on KUDO 1080 FM” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa.
• 3/12/2010. “Talking about Sullygate on the Shannyn Moore radio show” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/12/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-12: On KUDO re: Sullygate” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/15/2010. “A quicky update” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/16/2020. “Sullygate & Chronos, god of time” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/20/2010. “A Sullygate timeline: 1982-2010″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/20/2010. “Sullygate: Two resolutions to be introduced at Anchorage Assembly on March 23″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Includes full text of resolutions to be introduced by Assemblymembers Harriet Drummond and Matt Claman
• 3/22/2010. “Sullygate: The Lindemuth/Crawford relationship” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/23/2010. “Sullygate: MOA Dept. of Law analysis; Ethics Board rules against Mayor Sullivan” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/23/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-23: Livetweeting Assembly meeting w/ Sullygate resolutions” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/25/2010. “Taking a Sullygate break” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 4/12/2010. “Sullygate: Why we need an independent investigation” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 4/13/2010. “Sullygate: My letter to the Anchorage Assembly in support of Assembly Resolution AR 2010-92″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).

News stories & blog posts in chronological order

I’ve b0lded those stories which I consider to be the most important in terms of giving the history & new analysis of the Sullivan “life insurance policy” & payout.

• 3/2/2010. “City to pay life insurance claim for former mayor” by Kirsten Adams (Anchorage Daily Planet).
• 3/3/2010. “An insurance anomaly” by Brendan Joel Kelley (Anchorage Press).
• 3/3/2010. “City life insurance payout for former mayor raises eyebrows — $193,000: Assembly honors ‘82 deal that puts city money into George Sullivan’s trust” by Sean Cockerham (Anchorage Daily News).
• 3/3/2010. “Benefits for a former official” by Sean Cockerham (Anchorage Daily News).
• 3/3/2010. “George Sullivan timeline” (Anchorage Daily News).
• 3/4/2010. “Anchorage pays $193,000 for late mayor’s insurance” by the Associated Press (Anchorage Daily News). Also at the Juneau Empire.
• 3/4/2010. “Two Banally Retentive Grifters Again Make the News” by Phil Munger (Progressive Alaska).
• 3/4/2010. “Payday for Mayor/Trustee Hybrid Dan Sullivan” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/4/2010. “Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan learned much from his idol Sarah Palin” by Gryphen (Immoral Minority).
• 3/4/2010. “Sullivan’s Insurance Folly” by Ryan Knight (The Back Porch).
• 3/4/2010. “Assembly members have no room to talk” by Dan Fagan (The Alaska Standard). Supports the Sullivan “insurance” payout.
• 3/4/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-04: Sullygate” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Compilation from my Twitter feed.
• 3/5/2010. “Sullygate: If there is a contractual agreement, Mayor Sullivan, show us the contract” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Crossposted at Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis; Alaska Dispatch; Alaska Commons; Rootswire.
• 3/5/2010. “Credit the Sully Trust, Debit the Public Trust” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Satire from A Trustworthy Friend.
• 3/5/2010. “Anchorage Edition: March 5, 2010″ (KSKA-FM). KSKA & KAKM’s weekly review with commentators of the week’s news, politics and public affairs included discussion of the Sullivan “insurance” payout.
• 3/5/2010. “Mammoth Oyster Roundup!” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats). Summary of news stories, including two items about the Sullivan “insurance” payout.
• 3/5/2010. “Did Wheeler Commit Fraud and Extortion at the February 16th 2010 Anchorage Assembly Meeting?” by Phil Munger (Progressive Alaska).
• 3/6/2010. “Dan Sullivan Offers to Donate $193,000 to Kids’ Cancer Research if Sarah Palin Shaves Her Head” by Phil Munger (Progressive Alaska).
• 3/7/2010. “It is time for Anchorage residents to stand up and demand that Mayor Dan Sullivan show us a contract or give us back our $193,000!” by Gryphen (Immoral Minority).
• 3/7/2010. “Mayor Dan Sullivan – You’ve Got Mail!” by Thomas Van Pelt (posted at The Mudflats).
• 3/7/2010. “New PA Poll – Should Fast Sully Return the Dough?” by Phil Munger (Progressive Alaska).
• 3/7/2010. “E-mail to the Anchorage Assembly regarding Dan Sullivan’s $193,000 payout” by an Anchorage resident,  name not given (Immoral Minority).
• 3/9/2010. “The Drummond Resolution – AR No. 2010-91″ by Harriet Drummond (posted at Progressive Alaska).  Assembly Member Harriet Drummond has submitted a resolution to the Anchorage Assembly calling for an investigation of the legalities around the Sullivan “insurance” payout.
• 3/9/2010. “Assembly member Harriet Drummond just sent the posse after Dan “the desperado” Sullivan to retrieve the money he stole from our city’s treasury” by Gryphen (Immoral Minority).
• 3/9/2010. “The $193,000 Question that Tax Payers Deserve to Have Answered” by John Aronno (Alaska Commons).
• 3/9/2010. “Assembly member questions legality of insuring late Sullivan” by Mike Ross (KTUU Channel 2 News).
• 3/10/2010. “Anchorage Assembly member questions insurance payment to former mayor’s family” by the Associated Press (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner).
• 3/10/2010. “Mayor Dan Sullivan – How Low Can He Go?” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/10/2010. “Moore Up North: The Dream Team” by Shannyn Moore (Just a Girl from Homer). Video from the March 6, 2010 television broadcast of “Moore Up North,” which was taped the prior Thursday, March 4. Parts 2–5 featured former Anchorage mayoral candidate Eric Croft, current Anchorage Assembly Member Harriet Drummond, & state Senator Bill Wielchowski. Comment in Part 3 and answers to audience questions at the tail end of Part 4 & during Part 5 relate to the Sullivan “insurance” payout.
• 3/10/2010. “Sullygate update: A bibliography, Shannyn Moore’s guests, & Drummond’s resolution” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/10/2010. “Insurance deal draws increased scrutiny” by Sean Cockerham” (Anchorage Daily News).
• 3/10/2010. “Sullygate update 2: ‘Five administrations have been aware of this’” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Analysis based on most recent Sean Cockerham article ADN, including emails from Begich administration.
• 3/10/2010. “Insurance information” by Patrick Flynn. (Patrick Flynn’s Blog). Assembly Chair Patrick Flynn addresses concerns.
• 3/10/2010. “Sullivan life insurance payout questioned” by Matthew Simon (KTVA Channel 11 News). Includes video.
• 3/10/2010. “Drummond to ask for inquiry into late Sullivan’s life insurance” by Ashton Goodell (KTUU Channel 2 News).
• 3/10/2010. “Respondents split on review of Sullivan insurance policy” (KTUU Channel 2 News). Brief report on an unscientific poll.
• 3/11/2010. “The insurance anomaly, redux” by Brendan Joel Kelley (Anchorage Press).
• 3/11/2010. “Sorry, Anchorage! The Sullivan Check Has Been Cashed” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/11/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-11: Sullygate on KUDO 1080 FM” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/12/2010. “Talking about Sullygate on the Shannyn Moore radio show” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/12/2010. “Assembly to Review Sullivan Insurance Trust” by Len Anderson (KSKA-FM 91.1 Anchorage Public Radio). Audio; includes interview with Assembly Chair Patrick Flynn and Municipal Attorney Dennis Wheeler.
• 3/12/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-12: On KUDO re: Sullygate” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/15/2010. “A quicky update” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/16/2020. “Sullygate & Chronos, god of time” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/16/2010. “Our view: Insurance payout — Mayor should have been upfront about conflict of interest” (editorial) (Anchorage Daily News).
• 3/17/2010. “They Nailed It. Gold Star for ADN’s Sullivan Smack Down!” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/17/2010. “ADN on Sullygate: The mayor’s conflict of interest was clear” by Gryphen (Immoral Minority).
• 3/17/2010. “The Daily News Sells Out Once Again – When Will We Learn?” by Phil Munger (Progressive Alaska).
• 3/20/2010. “A Sullygate timeline: 1982-2010″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/20/2010. “How they did it! The complete Sullygate timeline from 1982 to 2010″ by Gryphen (Immoral Minority).
• 3/20/2010. “Great Blogging – Mel at Henkimaa on Sullivan Insurance Story” by Steve Aufrecht (What Do I Know?).
• 3/20/2010. “Cyclone Ului – Saturday” by OzMud (Oz Mudflats).
• 3/20/2010. “Sullygate: Two resolutions to be introduced at Anchorage Assembly on March 23″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa). Includes full text of resolutions to be introduced by Assemblymembers Harriet Drummond and Matt Claman.
• 3/21/2010. “Sullygate and the Time Machine o’ Scandal – Get Ready to Ride!” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/21/2010. “Sullivan’s life insurance headache” by Peter Dunlap-Shohl (Alaska Dispatch).
• 3/22/2010. “Sullygate: The Lindemuth/Crawford relationship” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).

March 23, 2010 Assembly meeting; Ethics Board opinion; Westover memorandum

• 3/23/2010. “Mayor should have revealed potential conflict, board rules — INSURANCE: City employees would have to act on the matter” by Rosemary Shinohara (Anchorage Daily News). A briefer version of this article was originally published on the ADN website as ““Board rules against Sullivan in trust deal.”
• 3/23/2010. “City’s Board of Ethics rules Sullivan should have disclosed conflict” by Jason Lamb and Channel 2 News staff (KTUU Channel 2 News).
• 3/23/2010. “Sullygate: MOA Dept. of Law analysis; Ethics Board rules against Mayor Sullivan” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/23/2010. “The Daily Tweets, 2010-03-23: Livetweeting Assembly meeting w/ Sullygate resolutions” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/24/2010. “In Brief” by Brendan Joel Kelley (Anchorage Press).
• 3/25/2010. “Taking a Sullygate break” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 3/28/2010. “The Minions are Restless… And They Keep ‘Protesting Too Much’ About Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats).
• 3/28/2010. “Update: Slapshot Two: All Politics IS Local!” by Lazarhat (OMFGAlaska).

Commentary on March 22, 2010 legal memorandum by Deputy Municipal Attorney Rhonda Westover

• 4/3/2010. “Matters of (the George Sullivan) Trust” by Patrick Flynn (Patrick Flynn’s Blog).
• 4/12/2010. “Sullygate: Why we need an independent investigation” by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).
• 4/13/2010. “Municipality’s Legal Memorandum Looks Hinky. Show Us the Contract!” by Mudflatter “Legal Eagle” (The Mudflats). A legal analysis of the March 22, 2010 MOA Department of Law memorandum.
• 4/13/2010. “Sullygate: My letter to the Anchorage Assembly in support of Assembly Resolution AR 2010-92″ by Melissa S. Green (Henkimaa).

April 13, 2010 Assembly meeting

• 4/13/2010. “Assembly takes up life insurance payment, puts off budget” by Jason Lamb (KTUU Channel 2 News).
• 4/14/2010. “Legal opinion sought on Sullivan life insurance” by Rosemary Shinohara (Anchorage Daily News).
• 4/14/2010. “Assembly Votes for Independent Investigation of Sullivan ‘Life Insurance’” by Jeanne Devon (The Mudflats). Includes video excerpts of the April 13 Assembly meeting.
• 4/14/2010. “In Brief” by Brendan Joel Kelley (Anchorage Press). A good summary of the April 13 Assembly meeting, with a number of important details not included in the ADN’s story.
• 4/20/2010. “Let sleeping dogs lie on life insurance: Comment” by Elis Patkotak (Anchorage Daily News). Also posted on 22 Apr 2010 on Elise Patkotak’s blog as “Assembly is simply wasting our money”.

April 27, 2010 Assembly meeting

• 4/27/2010. “Sullivan insurance ethics review rejected” (Anchorage Daily News). Resolution No. AR 2010–126 fails; however, the independent counsel investigation under Resolution No. AR 2010-92 (as amended) proceeds.
• 4/27/2010. “Assembly rejects resolution on George Sullivan trust fund” by Jason Lamb (KTUU Channel 2 News).

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Video from 10 Mar 2010 story  “Sullivan life insurance payout questioned”, (KTVA Channel 11 News):