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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Abused power but didn't break any laws?
Isn't abusing power, breaking the law? I'm kinda confused.
What I meant by that earlier statement is that I live in Arizona
We have already hav a VP who has abused his poweres, do we reallyw ant to have another one?????
"Finding Number One:
For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act."
She broke no law? What gives with this story? Abuse of power is unlawful according to the statute noted in this summary item in the report.
You Are A Shameful Person Palin! People Trusted You And You Turn Around And Abuse Them! I Hope The Voters In This Country Send You A Strong Signal This November! We Have Been Abused Enough Over The Past Eight Years! I Hope The Guy You Fired Sues You And Wins A Big Settlement!
Abusing power is just as bad as breaking the law.
Drop Sarah Palin and pick somone else for VP or lose all your support. How many lies does Sarah Palin get to tell before republicans are willing to admit that she is a power hungry liar. Picking her was the dumbest thing any presidential candidate has ever done. She's no Hilary. I can't wait to see Tina Fey's impersonation of this latest bombshell. Sarah Palin is the terrorist in heels!
...how is abusing power not illegal?
Why are you reporting that she did not break the law!! That is incorrect. The report CLEARLY states she did violate Alaskan law.
Here is the first paragraph! Please get your story right. This really bothers me that you are incorrectly reporting this!
Violation of a STATUE, is violation of a law. Why are you trying to make it look like she did not do anything wrong! She clearly did. Misuse of power is a big thing. What if she misuses power as VP! CNN, come on!
Finding Number One
For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides
The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.
Kick her out.
You are such a piece of work, Mr. McCain.
There were so many other qualified Republican women, and you had to pick the most unqualified and snarly and xenophobic of them to be your VP.
You deserve what you get , Mr. McCain.
No wonder the GOP and McLame was trying to block the investigation. In fact when they do that it's an admission of guilt.
You betcha!
I am glad. We are safe Mcbush will never be president.
Who is the real Sarah Palin? Besides a Nitwit, she is an evil woman who should be home taking care of her young family
Maverick!!!!!!
I knew it!!
Interesting to see how "abuse of power" will be spun . . .
Just like all the lies she tells, abuse of power is okay as long as Palin is the abuser. Is it moral to abuse your power?
Obama/Biden 08
Abusing power in her first major political position... think what she'd do if she were VP... chilling.
The time is now for the biggest spin ever. Now she has said in her hate rallies that Obama can not be trusted what about her. This woman is the worst person I have ever seen in the public politics. McCain down fall began when he allowed her to say all those lies and hateful things. Yes he allowed her because he said he would never do what has been going on in the McCain-Palin rallies. It is now know to the public for the world to see. So if his supporters say this is okay we all know why now they support McCain and not Obama. I do not even have to say it. Hate is a awful thing and america does not need to return to it. That is all I have to say.
Wow, In the Republican party this is a high achievement. Congratulations Sarah, I'm sure W is very proud.
So much for being trust worthy and a reformer. we've seen what politicians with personal vendatta are and have done for the past 8 years in iraq and here at home and we are tired of your low roads and shady behaviors. we need real change for real now. im sorry sarah you are a disappointment to the people who elected you and the millions of people you've been lying to these past 5 weeks!!!!!!!!!
Great job vetting your VP candidate John, I don't think the will change anything in the GOP party. The people that can't see Obama is the obvious choice will be blind to the fact Palin is the kind of person that lets power go to her head.
This goes right along with what has already been said about Sarah Palin, that if she doesn't agree with other people, she can make things difficult for them.
In that respect she is just like John McCain.
Just what we need to run our country–NOT!
Dog gone it! I sure was a hopin' Mrs. Palin was tellin' the truth, but I guess she wasn't. You betcha!