Alaska's Supreme Court has dismissed a bid by Republican lawmakers to halt an abuse of power investigation against Governor Sarah Palin.
The lawmakers had sought to stop the so-called Troopergate probe against the Republican vice-presidential nominee, claiming it was politically motivated.
However, in a two-page order released the day before the results of the probe into Governor Palin's dismissal of a senior official are expected to be made public, the court said the investigation could go ahead.
Ms Palin is being investigated over allegations she abused her position by replacing public safety commissioner Walt Monegan because he refused to sack a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with her sister.
The probe was launched in July, roughly one month before Ms Palin was unveiled as John McCain's shock choice for election running mate.
Six Alaska Republican lawmakers had attempted to have the inquiry halted on the grounds that it was being manipulated by state Democrats.
In an earlier ruling, a lower court found there was no evidence to suggest bias on the part of legislators overseeing the probe.
The first results of the investigation are expected to be released today when the committee which initiated the inquiry convenes to receive the investigator's report.
The inquiry was launched following a unanimous bipartisan vote on 28 July, and Governor Palin had initially said she and all state employees would co-operate.
However, since her unveiling as John McCain's running mate, Ms Palin and several members of her staff have refused to be questioned, with her campaign branding the probe as partisan and tainted.
On Wednesday, a 25-page affidavit by Governor Palin's husband Todd revealed he had sought the dismissal of the state trooper at the center of the case.
However he denied attempting to influence his wife, revealing she had eventually told him to drop the matter.
Mr Palin said that he makes no apologies for wanting to protect his family and wanting to ‘publicise the injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge.’
