April 8, 2009
Posted: April 8th, 2009 02:44 PM ET
From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
A supporter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has set a Web site to collect donations to cover her legal fees.
(CNN) - A Texas businessman launched a Web site Tuesday that allows users to help defray Gov. Sarah Palin's legal costs. The donations will be forwarded to the governor's attorney in Alaska. The site, sarahpalinsdefensefund.com, is not business owner Clayton Paslay's first pro-Palin endeavor. He is also the man behind FreeAmericanCitizens.org, an independent political action committee which was formed in opposition to mandatory seat belt laws. "I'd like to see the lady get a fair shake," Paslay told CNN Wednesday. As a business owner, Paslay says he's encountered "unwarranted" lawsuits. "While I came out okay, the legal side of it [in terms of costs] was the devastating side." Palin currently owes more than a half a million dollars in legal fees incurred as a result of a number of ethics complaints she's faced since becoming Alaska's governor, according to a recent report by the Associated Press. Paslay says that less than a day after it was launched, the Web site has received 29 donations totaling approximately $1100 from states as far afield as Hawaii, Arizona, South Carolina, and New York. The largest donation so far is $100, with donations in the range of $25-$50 being "the norm," Paslay told CNN. Paslay plans to forward the money to an Alaska-based attorney that represents Palin. "I'm just helping out and also it's fun. . . . I hope this helps her," says Paslay. Asked about his personal political leanings, Paslay resisted being labeled as a member of either of the two major political parties. "I'm a supporter of anybody that can check and balance Washington," said Paslay, who is also in the process of setting a Web site in support of former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. "We'll support a Democrat . . . if the Democrat looks to the people." "I'm a free spirit," Paslay said. "I guess you could use the word 'independent.' My tendency is independent." UPDATE, 2:44p.m.: Meg Stapleton, a spokesperson for the Palin family sent the following statement to CNN: "The continuing generosity of Alaskans and Americans is overwhelming as many reach out to assist Governor Sarah Palin and her family with their legal bills. However, the official legal defense fund for Governor Sarah Palin has not been formed and the Governor cannot accept monies for those obligations from any other entity than the one in formation. Numerous federal and state laws to need to be abided by and the official legal defense fund will have very strict donation guidelines. We thank everyone interested in helping the Governor. The best way to assist her will be through this official fund which will launch later this month." Filed under: Sarah Palin |
The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com. CNN=Politics Screensaver
New in the Ticker
hambypCNN: RT @politicalticker "Palin aide downplays use of private jet" - http://bit.ly/5xay1a
Updated: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:22:43 -0800 @wolfblitzercnn: We have some good questions for White House adviser David Axelrod today in The SitRoom on Obama's Afghan strategy.
Updated: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:15:47 -0800 @HornickCNN: Will Obama's war become his Vietnam? http://bit.ly/7UdCpi
Updated: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:32:32 -0800 @edhenrycnn: http://twitpic.com/rq9kn - New York Air Guard
Updated: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:21:26 -0800 @edhenrycnn: http://twitpic.com/rq7dq - Landing in beautiful upstate New York for monumental moment in young Obama presidency
Updated: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:04:41 -0800 Categories
Archive
Popular Posts
|
Loading weather data ...