This text was produced in partnership with ProPublica as a part of the ProPublica Native Reporting Community.
A particular prosecutor has charged Alaska’s former appearing legal professional basic with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor for having intercourse with a 17-year-old lady he coached on a highschool mock trial workforce in Could 1991.
The fees have been filed Friday in Alaska state courtroom in Anchorage towards Clyde “Ed” Sniffen, who served as appearing legal professional basic from August 2020 to January 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy requested the Division of Legislation to nominate an impartial investigator to overview the case after the Anchorage Every day Information and ProPublica first reported in January 2021 {that a} lady had accused Sniffen of sexual misconduct.
Sniffen resigned because the newsrooms have been making ready the article. In his resignation letter, Sniffen wrote that he had determined to step apart “after discussions with household, and for private causes.” Sniffen’s legal professional declined remark and mentioned he wouldn’t make his shopper accessible for an interview.
Dunleavy had appointed Sniffen as his everlasting legal professional basic, topic to affirmation by the Legislature, days earlier than his resignation. At the moment, the governor mentioned Sniffen “has a protracted and confirmed document of management inside the Division of Legislation and I’m proud to nominate him to function our state’s subsequent Lawyer Basic.”
Sniffen changed former Lawyer Basic Kevin Clarkson, who resigned after the Every day Information and ProPublica reported he had despatched lots of of questionable texts to a feminine colleague. In his resignation letter, Clarkson wrote, “I remorse that my actions and errors in judgment in interacting with a state worker have turn out to be a distraction to the nice work and good individuals working within the state’s and your service.”
Nikki Dougherty White, now 48, advised the information organizations that Sniffen first had intercourse together with her throughout a mock trial workforce journey for a contest in New Orleans and continued their sexual relationship upon returning to Anchorage. These allegations kind the premise for the felony costs filed Friday.
White had come ahead publicly for the primary time after studying that Sniffen had been appointed legal professional basic.
Reached by telephone Friday, particular prosecutor Gregg Olson declined to debate the small print of the fees. White additionally declined to remark.
The Division of Legislation, in a press release issued late Friday, mentioned: “Inside 24 hours of studying of the allegations towards Mr. Sniffen, this workplace acted to nominate a particular prosecutor within the curiosity of justice, equity, and transparency. Now that the fees have been filed, the particular prosecutor will proceed to make selections impartial from the Division of Legislation to carry the case to decision.”
The Legislation Division assertion continued: “The allegation that Mr. Sniffen took benefit of his authority to have interaction in sexual acts with the sufferer is disturbing and disappointing. As attorneys who work on behalf of the State to carry individuals accountable, we count on to be held to the identical stage of accountability. This additional compels us to be advocates for victims, and extra importantly, clearly emphasize our function is to make sure justice for each Alaskan.”
Anchorage police investigated the case, interviewing White and different former members of the West Anchorage Excessive College mock trial workforce who joined Sniffen on the journey to New Orleans.
Friday’s felony criticism, which was first reported by the Alaska Beacon, focuses on Sniffen’s alleged actions in Alaska, following the New Orleans journey. Sniffen is accused of getting intercourse with White, who’s recognized by her initials within the criticism, thrice between Could 13 and Could 28, 1991.
The criticism says the offenses befell on the properties of Sniffen’s pals and on the Lodge Captain Cook dinner in Anchorage. Sniffen was 27 years previous on the time.
Beneath an Alaska regulation enacted in 1990, months earlier than Sniffen and White traveled to New Orleans, it was unlawful for an grownup to have intercourse with a 16- or 17-year-old whom she or he was instructing, counseling or teaching. (In lots of different situations, the age of consent in Alaska is 16.)
Olson mentioned the fees carry a most of 5 years in jail every. Due to the timing of the alleged offense, Sniffen wouldn’t be required to register as a intercourse offender if convicted, he mentioned.