Report: Palin abused power, violated ethics code in trooper case
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/10/art.palin03.gi.jpg caption="Report: Palin ‘abused her power’"] 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.
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This is great news! Now she has a good job to go back home too. God Bless America!
I believe abusing power does break the law! People would often be arrested or executed for crimes like that (don't worry, I'm not suggesting anything.)
Obama/Biden '08
How the hell do you abuse your power and not break a law?
Goes to credit...
God save America from such a danger!
Nganenu
She was just practicing in Alaska for what she'll do in the lower 48.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO No abuse of power. Not under any circumstances. NO
Obama/Biden '08
Fine. Now look into her ties to the Alaska Independence Party. She sure hung out with some crazy people. Makes Obama's playmates look tame by comparison. Why is no one talking about this...
If there is a single reason John McCain should not be President, it's Sarah Palin
Yep, another Chaney...
So she still abused her power.....McCain has abused this Campaign and Bush has abused his power! Get rid of them all I say!!!
she abused her power but break any law Huh?
If she did this as governor, just imagaine what'll happen at the VP level. She already wants to increase the VP powers as it relates to the Senate & Congress.
We don't want you and Palin for President or Vice President, "My Friend"! You Betcha.
She abused her power. Just the type of person we want in the White House. She knows how to abuse her power and skate around the law to do it.
What a joke she is. Another Bushie.
Whether or not this woman 'broke the law'...she still abused the power of her office. People are still seriously considering voting this devil into the office of the Vice Presidency??!!
And So The Truth Comes Out... But sadly the people who lack knowledge and support her will just ignorantly claim this is A LIE, ITS THE MSM's FAULT!
I don't care what any of you say..if someone threatened to kill your family you would try to get them out of a position where they carried a gun as well. All you armchair kool aid drinkers just want to sling mud.
Oh, is that all. We don't care if a VP abuses power. Cheney does it all the time and things are just fine-don't ya think? You betcha!
America has had enough abuse by the current republican administratiion, we certainly do not need more. Am I surprised Palin abused her power? Of course not, just a way of life for the republicans.
Abused Power and she Broke the Law Wink!!Wink!!
Lets all vote for Palin! More corruption in the whitehouse 2008!!
Yet John McCain and many Republican supporters insist that Sarah Palin is just what America needs. An empty-headed abuser of power who shoots animals from helicopters and thinks mankind co-existed with dinosaurs. This election is so over.
If she did this as governor, just imagaine what'll happen at the VP level. She already wants to increase the VP powers as it relates to the Senate & Congress.
This was expected; hence the effort to try and cover it up....how unethical!!!!
They were being nice by saying that she did not break the law but if she abused her power then I would think she broke the law.