The ADN reports:

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg has resigned in the wake of state legislators blasting his performance during the “Troopergate” investigation.

“He just explained that it is a tough environment right now,” said Gov. Sarah Palin, who appointed Colberg to the job just over two years ago.

In an interview with the Daily News this morning, Palin said Colberg did a great job as attorney general. She talked about his background, coming from the private sector and not government, and said he served the state well.

“It is a harsh political environment right now. You saw what he went through these last couple of weeks with speculation that a couple of the lawmakers wanted to continue to grill him, a couple of the lawmakers not believing, it seems, what he had to say,” Palin said. “I just hope this political environment doesn’t deter others who want to make a positive difference.”

Colberg sent out a brief statement saying “I determined that it was in the best interest of the state of Alaska to move on and pursue other opportunities. It was an honor to serve for the past two years.”

The ADN also noted that Sen. French and Co. still had their long knives out for Colberg. In that “harsh political environment,” I’m sure he found it difficult to fulfill his duties.