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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Abuse of Power......are we ready to allow this in the white house again?
"abused her power as Alaska's governor".....
And yet she is the nominee for VICE PRESDIENT OF THE US???
Unbelievable!!
SOUNDS LIKE A BUSHIE TO ME... SO WITH THAT IM GOING TO SAY THANKS BUT NO THANKS TO SARAH PALIN....IM VOTING FOR THAT ONE–OBAMA!!!
Not surprised at all. Palin has no shame. If there is any justice in this world you and McCain will pay dearly with ruined careers.
Obama 08
I guess thats about par for a make believe maverick. I can't believe the people of Alaska are so ill informed and uneducated to have voted for the dewitched gov. Oh, by the way, I am a Republican but am voting for Obama. I am sick of the Republican arrogance and dirty politics. John McCain is a phony. I don't believe any thing he says.
Ladies and Gentleman, so here we have a woman who obviously is willing to use and abuse her political power to carry out personal vendettas. So obviously her lack of professionalism is in the open for all to see.
Obama 08
Now, Who's the terrorist?
Way to go. Good choice, Johnny.
this is a lady that mccain want as a vice president.
Finally....abuse of power to go with Keating McCain's poor judgement....the walls continue to crumble.....Oh Sarah...will you continue to point fingers now?
So it's safe to say Sarah Palin is just another corupt Alaska Republican? Ahhh...this is pretty funny as we rap up what has been a very negative week lead by her...haha...loser!
Time to quit Sarah.
I think America has moved on. People don't care about Palin's past abuse of power. They care about her inability to speak about the issues with any semblance of coherence.
Isn't "power abuse" something she's supposedly taken on as a ravin' maverick? Or does "taking on" mean "committing?"
Naughty Naughty Sarah! Liar Liar Pants On Fire
Also, way to go trying to release a bogus report clearing her of wrongdoing. What an utterly lame ploy by the McCain campaign that NO ONE FELL FOR. The McCain campaign is now flaiing like a fish out of water.
I thought aubsing her power is against the laws?
McCain won't recover from this and his other problems. This shows she abused her power. This will not sit well with an electorate already tired of our president who has spent his time abusing the power of his office.
Run out the race, McCain. Do it with dignity.
All we need is another Vice President who abuses power...thanks, but no thanks
* G * U * I * L * T * Y * . . . . . . THIS DISQUALIFIES YOU IN MY OPINION!
Uh-Oh!!!! Abused power. Didn't she accuse OB over ambition. Pot – Kettle
How can she abuse her powers but it's not violating the law? Someone please explain.
Awesome. Another Cheney. Dark Vader Part 2
Drop her McCain. It is the right thing to do – she abused her power. We don't need any more of that in the White House - we can't afford it. You need to put country first. Drop her McCain.
So now it is time for her to step down as a VP candidate....she should not be allowed to run.
so, what powers will she abuse as vice president?