Published: November 01, 2008 10:43 pm      

Manchin says he’s in the dark on federal probe of liquor agency

When it comes to a mystery-shrouded federal inquiry into the state’s liquor agency, Gov. Joe Manchin used an old Will Rogers line Saturday while in Beckley.

“I don’t know,” Manchin shrugged, with a laugh, when asked about subpoenas flying through the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration.

“I’m hearing the same thing you’re hearing. The bottom line is that what we’ve heard is the same as everyone else has heard through the press.”

Just what federal investigators are pursuing wasn’t clear, although some media reports suggested kickbacks in the form of gifts and favors might be on the radar screen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

It was Rogers, the famed humorist, author and newspaper columnist, who once quipped, “All I know is what I read in the newspapers.”

Manchin insisted at an appearance by former President Bill Clinton on behalf of Barack Obama that he knew no details about the federal inquiry.

At the same time, the governor pledged full cooperation with the investigators.

“The only direction we have given everybody is quickly that you be as transparent as possible,” Manchin said. “You help.

“The first thing we did when we were elected was to pass a strong ethics law. And with a strong ethics law, we want everyone to live with the trust of the citizens and voters. If they abuse that, then whatever has to be done will be done, I can guarantee you that as soon as possible.”

Manchin’s communications director, Lara Ramsburg, said a day earlier the administration was in the dark on the federal investigation but would cooperate.

“We don’t know,” the governor told reporters at the Clinton rally. “We just have to see what happens.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com