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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Sure what she did was legal, but was it unethical. Seems like a harbinger of things to come.
Gee imagine what she'll do when they get to Washington
If Mrs. Palin violated no laws HOW COULD SHE ABUSE HER POWER?
we don't need those type of people in the white hous. palin is an evil evangelical
Governor will be the last politcal position she will hold. After the McCain ticket is defeated....by a very large margin, she will fad away.
I think Americans are tired of lies, abuse of power, shredding of the constitution and the like. Palin is just like Bush, just not as smart or educated.
Abuse of power? Sounds familiar.
Obama-Biden '08
At least that is over. Now, we can concentrate on the economy.
Not suprising!
Great! Another Republican VP who abuses their power...
Exactly why we dont need McCain / Palin in the white house. We just spent 8 years with a president and his cromies that constantly abused power but never seemed to break any laws......
Obama 08 / 12
With the back-peddeling of McCain today and this report coming out about Palin, this ticket is about to get DUMP-Trucked.
Excuse me!!! She fired the man who would not fire the trooper who tasered his son and drank liquor in his squad car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What losers these liberals are!!!
Between this type of behavior and the co-governing approach she maintains on the job with her husband, she'll actually be worse than Cheney as VP.
Can't afford four more years of this kind of administration.
LMFAO!!!!!!! Rolling on the floor Laughing!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Not a chance for Cheney in a dress!!!!!
Go figure!!!! She also thought that she was above the law.
VOTE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
I am an American & I approve this message!!!!
Obama / Biden 08
Do we really need someone else in he Whitehouse that abuses their power??? God help us!!!!
Kinda like a reprimand...like Senator McCain received in congress? So corrupt.
well well well,, lets see,,umm palin thinks she can do what she wants,,wow,,,, and a brother in law to boot,,, litterally,,,, seems this lady needs a course in eithics,,,, keep family things away from your job,, woman<(palin) In alsaka,, they may let her do this ,, but in american , we have democracy,,, (most of the time),,, but shes gone way over-borad,, like mccain on this "we buy up peoples mortages"<<lol,, it wont work nor will his partners accept it, so americans,, if you still think mccains the "man",, go for it,, he will lose and big because he doesnt have support on this and never will, do you researches,,,, his partners and etc are so angry with him for springing this on them,,, it wont happen ,, in a million years,,,,, the governents in trouble now, what makes anyone think they will buy your mortage??? as i said before ,, obama/biden..08 and beyond,,,,
This should be a suprise to no one. There was an article today regarding her budget approval process as Governor. She was very personally partisan regarding her project approval – especially if it was for something in Wasilla. This woman is completely egocentric.
Give me a break!
Isn't abusing power as breaking law?
So go ahead all governors, senators and even president and abuse your powers. You won't break any law! You will be OK!
Wow.. And she just got done saying in her debate that the VP should receive other powers..
I dont trust McCain and now I dont trust Palin..
guess I really am going to have to vote democrat. What a shame my party has turned into.
Can't we send her to prison anyway?
There You Have It People! Palin Has Abused Her Power! She Would Abuse Her Power As Vice President! Lets Make Sure She Wont Abuse Her Power Again And Vote For Obama! We Have All Been Abused Enough Over The Past Eight Years!
Her reputation is tarnished and her credibility shot. After November 4th she can return to answer the people of Alaska. She's got a lot of 'splain'in to do.
why wasn't it breaking news