Former mayor says Miller 'not truthful' about borough employment

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Former Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker says the borough nearly fired U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller two years ago, because Miller was using borough computers in an effort to oust Alaska Republican Party Chair Randy Ruedrich.

Whitaker made those comments Wednesday to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Whitaker says he wanted to give Miller time to come forward and address the allegations himself, but after his comments this week that he wasn't going to talk to the media about personal history, it didn't look like Miller was going to address it.

The News-Miner quoted Whitaker as saying, “I am speaking now because this occurred on my watch as mayor, because I know the truth and because I have an obligation to tell the truth.”

Candidates Lisa Murkowski and Scott McAdams talked to KTUU about the allegations against Miller.

“If you're going to hold yourself out as a candidate, to ask for the opportunity to serve Alaskans for six years in the U.S. Senate, then you need to let the people that you are seeking to represent, you need to let them know who you are,” said Murkowski.

“Too much attention has been diverted to the train wreck that has surrounded Joe Miller's campaign. I think it's important we continue to focus on issues,” McAdams said.

Miller’s press secretary, Randy DeSoto, said he is unable to comment on Whitaker’s comments.

“Joe has made it pretty clear he’s not going to comment on this line of questions about his background and personal matters,” said DeSoto.