There are no guarantees that the state will pursue the case, but Alaskans should be glad that Attorney General Dan Sullivan is reviewing the sex-abuse investigation of former Veco president Bill Allen. The decision this summer by the federal Department of Justice to drop the case against Allen — a convicted felon and key government witness in the state political corruption scandal — angered many Alaskans and left alleged victims wondering why they endured the pain of coming forward.

Investigators from both the Anchorage Police Department and the federal government concluded they had a solid case, at least worthy of a grand jury indictment and then trial.

The feds declined to pursue the case. They gave no reason. Federal silence led naturally to speculation that the feds made a deal with Allen to spare him charges involving sexual abuse of minors. That's not a deal anyone should make.

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