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Politics | 12/10/2008 9:50 am

Palin's Alaska Office Receives Hoax Letter With White Powder

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Shutterstock

Sarah Palin’s territory is the latest to receive a letter containing a suspicious white powder.

The letter addressed to the governor’s office in Juneau prompted a mail-room evacuation Tuesday afternoon. Nobody reported feeling ill, although three of the workers who came in close contact with the package were decontaminated, reports The Anchorage Daily News.

The letter was not addressed to Palin, however. It was addressed to former Gov. Frank Murkowski – who hasn’t been there in two years. Perhaps the culprit isn’t up to date on his Alaska politics.

The Alaska letter is the latest in a string of ones sent to seven other governors in Rhode Island, Michigan, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota, Montana and Missouri, according to the FBI. All bore a Texas postmark. Alabama’s Department of Public Safety said Tuesday its letter contained a harmless food substance. In Missouri, the powder turned out to be bleached flour. The capitol in Helena, MT, was evacuated for several hours after a letter was sent there.

"Just because it went to the governor’s office and the timing, we’re treating it as being part of the same series of letters that went out," said Alaska FBI bureau spokesman Eric Gonzalez. "All of them to date have tested as nonlethal."

Even though there’s nothing harmful in the letters so far, authorities say the hoax is still a crime. The FBI warned state workers to keep an eye out for similar letters or packages, and encourages anyone with information about the letters to contact their local FBI office, or call the Dallas FBI at 972-559-5000. 

12 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Tee Zee
… It was addressed to former Gov. Frank Murkowski – who hasn’t been there in two years.” “latest in a string of ones sent to seven other governors in Rhode Island, Michigan, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota, Montana and Missouri, according to the FBI. All bore a Texas postmark.” Interesting story…what does it have to do with the current governor..and why is that your headline?
By Tee Zee on 12/10/2008 11:08 am
f p
Texas postmark—now that is the really interesting factoid considering the nutcases that state is famous for.
By f p on 12/10/2008 11:36 am
Sandbee (FB) 54
It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it.
By Sandbee (FB) 54 on 12/10/2008 3:53 pm
f p
lolololol
By f p on 12/10/2008 4:01 pm
C jay
Me, either - besides I only touch spelt flour.
By C jay on 12/12/2008 12:56 am
J B
Dear Santa - All I want for Christmas this year is one, blissful, “Palin Free” week here at WOW
By J B on 12/10/2008 12:14 pm
Lady Gator
JB —Amen, Amen, Amen! It’s time to move on! Come on wow ladies — it’s Christmas time — surely you have something else to talk about!
By Lady Gator on 12/10/2008 2:48 pm
James the Game
Maybe Palin special-ordered the “white powder”.
By James the Game on 12/10/2008 3:36 pm
James the Game
Maybe Palin special-ordered the “white powder”.
By James the Game on 12/10/2008 3:36 pm
Chips AHoey
Maine got one today
By Chips AHoey on 12/10/2008 1:14 pm
DeBúrca obj
Texas postmark….. hmmm
By DeBúrca obj on 12/10/2008 7:59 pm
Me Now
It would be interesting to know why this is being tied to Sarah Palin since the letter wasn’t addressed to her. Maybe some liberal thought it would be a nice prank.
By Me Now on 12/22/2008 3:25 pm