ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) – Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin abused her power as Alaska's governor and a violated state ethics law by trying to get her ex-brother-in-law fired from the state police, a state investigator's report concluded Friday.
"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report states.
Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan's refusal to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten from the state police force was "likely a contributing factor" to Monegan's July dismissal, but Palin had the authority as governor to sack him, the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower states. However, it states that her efforts to get Wooten fired broke a state ethics law that bars public officials from pursuing personal interest through official action.
Monegan has said he was fired in July after refusing pressure to sack Wooten, who had gone through an acrimonious divorce and custody battle with Palin's sister. Palin and her husband, Todd, have consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing Wooten as a "rogue trooper" who had threatened their family - allegations Branchflower discounted.
"I conclude that such claims of fear were not bona fide and were offered to provide cover for the Palins' real motivation: to get Trooper Wooten fired for personal family reasons," Branchflower wrote.
From CNN Politics
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right, she smoked but didn't inhale... God help us.
hopefully the legislature will move to censure her, and while she will
not be indicted, it will be just like john mccain and keating 5... both found
lacking truly unimpeachable judgment. the reality of this is precisely
the cold shower the nation needs. add to it the new article in salon.com about her deep involvement with the AIP and being a secessionist puppet
and thats a wrap...
what a week.
You see bi-partisan lets see how they spin this.
Nice photo cropping... from "Country First" to "try First." Perfectly approptiate for Failing Palin – what a bag of hot air and vitrol. "Try" and "try" as they might, the GOP has nothing but a bag of phony tricks.
Well, I think McCain will be headed back to AZ soon. Permanently. Bummer.
She is Cheney with lipstick.
By the way,
How's your 401 K America?
I'm investing heavily in shares of Obama/Biden.
BO08
So you can abuse Power ....but thats not illegal or crimminal? Sounds like they tried to please everyone. Just more proof that the Heady power of a Vice Presidency would be far too much for MRS. Palin.
Romney!
No wonder they have done everything they can to shift out attention to Obama's relationship with Ayers.
Obama/Biden '08
Abuse of power, sounds just like something someone who believes in seceeding from the United States would do. Palin and her husband don't believe in our constitution, so why would they abide by our laws.
Alaska has a genetic disposition to corruption, and Gov. Palin succumbed to the same unethical (and illegal) decisions made by Ted Stevens, Don Young, and Frank Murkowski
SHe is such a joke!!! This contest is over. Republicans, please listen to me...you know that Palin is a fraud. Please come to the light! Just vote Obama and get it over with!
In Ohio even if you have the authority to dismiss a State Employee, you still must document the action and show cause. Is a disagreement over a budget really cause for a dismissal ,,,,NO... her action was personally motivated Palin an everyone else knows it.
You've just gotta love the 12-0 vote! I'm glad to see this venom-sputtering machine knocked down a peg. I'm sorry for the citizens in Alaska. How very UNsurprising this news came at 5:30 on Friday.
Hey, perhaps that's why Johnny was stepping back a bit by giving his phony speech to all of the hate-mongers late today at his rally?
Say it isn't so, Sarah. Oh! I forgot. You already did.
McCain/Palin are "DONE" , nut i think anyone with half a brain already knew that.
Get use to saying " President Barack Obama".
Better days ahead !
Is it not illegal for a person in a position of power to abuse their power?
I'm worried that she might abuse her power as a vice president.
Corruptive maverick.
From the ways she talked against Katie Couric, I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to shut down free media if she gets into power.
OF COURSE SHE DID WRONG. SHE HAS DONE WRONG FROM THE BEGINING. SHE HAS THE SCRUPLES OF AN ALLEY CAT. SHE REMINDS ME OF A MAN I ONCE KNEW HE THOUGHT THAT HE COULD DO ANYTHING HE WANTED AND JUST BECAUSE HE WAS IN A POSITION OF POWER HE COULD GET AWAY WITH IT. THEN WHEN THE GOOD OLE BOY NETWORK WAS REMOVED HE GOT REMOVED ALSO. THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HER. I GUARENTEE IT. IT WILL JUST TAKE A LITTLE TIME. PEOPLE LIKE HER RISE AND FALL EVERYDAY. THEY JUST CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND ETHICALLY CORRECT.
Palin is a liar and for those attempting to hide her criminal activities have no conscience or soul
She abused power, huh? It sounds like she's already trying on Cheney's shoes...
Why am I not even a little surprised that she abused her power??? This is the woman who wants to expand the duties of the VP above and beyond what is defined in the Constitution. This is not someone who should EVER be in the White House. It isn't that she isn't ready now (which she isn't) but that she is a slimy politician of the worst type.
OBAMA/BIDEN
She cannot be trust anymore...
I was almost moved to tears of joys after hearing this. This should be
a lesson to the ugly and racist underbelly of America. You don't judge
a book by its cover. This is a very dangerous woman. What is most
hurtful is the fact that people listened to her spew her hate towards
Senator Obama when he worked hard to prove he is an honorable
American, and hateful people judged him because of the color of his
skin. I wonder if the cowards sitting in the audience listening and
cheering for her garbage can look themselves in the mirror now?
I'm also happy that McCain finally admitted that Obama was not a
terrorist at his rally. I was beginning to lose all respect for him. Evil
persists when good people stand by and do nothing. I'm glad that
someone finally stood up to Sara Palin.
A Republican abusing power. Say it ain't so! I guess she's even more like Bush than previously thought...