Lawmakers grill Dunleavy pick over recall effort

JUNEAU, Alaska – State senators on Wednesday grilled one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s board appointees over his relationship to a former Ketchikan teacher accused of sexual abuse and a recall effort he faced.

Dunleavy nominated Trevor Shaw to the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct. Shaw is a former Ketchikan School Board president who resigned amid what he calls a “convoluted” recall process.

During a confirmation hearing Wednesday, Shaw said he was not forced out over the scandal involving former teacher Doug Edwards. Shaw said the recall effort played out as tensions involving Edwards were high, and he said he did what he thought was best by opting to avoid a recall vote and resigning.

The Ketchikan Daily News reported the recall effort addressed Shaw’s alleged treatment of a student representative who wanted to be heard regarding a board appointment. Shaw said the bar for certifying recall petitions is low.

Shaw said Edwards was his childhood pastor and officiated his wedding. He said he did not know about any allegations against Edwards until Edwards’ arrest. Edwards faces sentencing in April.

Shaw, who testified via telephone, said there is “absolutely no evidence whatsoever that I had any knowledge of his behaviours or did anything to cover them up. There’s no proof or evidence of that whatsoever.”

Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, said she had reservations about Shaw’s nomination. She said she would consider Shaw’s testimony but also review his nomination further.