Ed Sniffen Explained

Ed Sniffen
Office:	Acting Attorney General of Alaska
Governor:	Mike Dunleavy
Term Start:	August 25, 2020
Term End:	January 30, 2021
Predecessor:	Kevin Clarkson
Successor:	Treg Taylor
Birth Name:	Clyde Edward Sniffen Jr.
Education:	Willamette University (JD)

Clyde "Ed" Sniffen Jr. is an American attorney who served as acting Alaska attorney general from August 25, 2020, to January 30, 2021, in the administration of Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy.^[1] Sniffen had assumed office after the resignation of his predecessor, Kevin Clarkson, amid allegations of texting with an employee of the governor's office. Sniffen resigned in January 2021 after allegations of the existence of an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old high school girl whom he coached in 1991 surfaced. Three charges related to the allegations were filed in Alaska on May 27, 2022.^[2]

Career

Sniffen earned a Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law. After graduating from law school, he worked as a private attorney. He joined the office of the Alaska Attorney General in 2000, specializing in antitrust and consumer protection litigation. Prior to serving as acting Attorney General, Sniffen served as assistant attorney general, deputy attorney general, and chief of staff to his predecessor, Kevin Clarkson.^[3]

Sniffen, who had previously served as deputy Attorney General, succeeded Kevin Clarkson, who resigned from office after allegations of Clarkson's texting with an employee in the governor's office who was not a subordinate.^{[4] [5]}

Attorney general of Alaska

Sniffen served in an acting capacity while the governor searched for a permanent replacement.^{[6] [7] [8]} Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy designated Sniffen as his permanent nominee for Attorney General on January 18, 2021, subject to confirmation by the legislature. However, on January 30, Sniffen withdrew his nomination due to allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl in 1991, who is now in her late 40s.^{[9] [10]} The woman lived with Sniffen for a period of years after she turned 18.^[11]

Personal

His marriage to Stacy Steinberg was dissolved in May 2000. They had no children.

Notes and References

1. News: 2020-08-25. Alaska Attorney General Quits After Texts With Woman Surface. en-US. The New York Times. Associated Press. 2020-08-26. 0362-4331.
2. https://www.propublica.org/article/sniffen-alaska-ag-sexual-assault-charges Alaska Charges Former Acting Attorney General With Sexual Abuse of a Minor
3. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_events/597241/final_commonground_bios_2014_with_logo.pdf NW Common Ground Conference 2014 faculty profiles
4. Web site: Downing . Suzanne . 2020-08-25 . Leaks from governor's office put Attorney General in hot water over text exchanges . 2022-10-22 . Must Read Alaska . en-US.
5. Web site: Downing . Suzanne . 2020-08-25 . Breaking: Attorney General resigns . 2022-10-22 . Must Read Alaska . en-US.
6. Web site: Kitchenman. Andrew. Media. Alaska Public Radio. Juneau. KTOO. 2020-08-25. Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson resigns. 2020-08-26. Alaska Public Media. en-US.
7. Web site: Alaska AG Kevin Clarkson resigns over text message scandal. 2020-08-26. KTVA. en.
8. Web site: Thiessen. Mark. Press. Associated. 2020-08-25. Alaska attorney general quits after texts with woman surface. 2020-08-26. Connecticut Post.
9. News: Hopkins . Kyle . January 30, 2021 . Sexual misconduct allegations prompt another Alaska attorney general to resign . Anchorage Daily News . January 31, 2021.
10. Web site: Downing . Suzanne . 2022-09-21 . Breaking: Former AG Sniffen indicted for sexual abuse of a minor in third degree in decades-old case . 2022-10-22 . Must Read Alaska . en-US.
11. Web site: Associated Press . 2021-01-31 . Report: Alaska Attorney General quits after reports of sexual misconduct with 17-year-old . 2022-10-22 . Alaska Public Media . en-US.