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.
The BiPartisan Board was 10 republicans and 4 democrats - this is what "they" describe as a "democratic witch-hunt"? Give me a break. I've been voting democratic for years now, but I'm so glad that republicans are waking up and standing up to those that have desecrated their party values and beliefs . . . they've been sold up the river and now we all have to pay enormous consequences for their lies, coverups, deceit. . .all in the name of the party of values and morals. . .such corruption is not only ruining our nation, but the world. Incredible. . .
McJudgment? Not on your McLife
Thank you for the correction to your headline.
OMG!!! she abused power but didn't break any law!!!? Could somebody please explain this..
Also if anyone has not watched the documentary "UNCOUNTED". Please do. How people were sent back from polling booths. I hope McCain does not follow this and Obama makes sure that such a thing does not happen this yr. It will be a disaster if it does..
YOU BET YA!!! SHE ABUSED HER POWER,
MORE OF THE SAME!!!!
John King, the moderator of the third and final debate is clearly a McCain supporter. Should he be hosting the debate?
...and the truth shall make you free.
Fly away Sarah Palin! Fly away!
Sarah Palin and McCain's dirty campaign tactics have finally caught up with them.
Over the past few weeks McCain and Palin have both sparked ignorant comments that promote racism, fear and ignorance.
what goes around comes around. If she had only spent more time cleaning up her own past rather than trying to make the world fearful about Obamas history.
This clearly shows a lack of judgement and bias when it comes to politics. We do not need another president in the white house that is going to abuse her power.
Republicians are obviously going to attempt to help her cover up or play down this issue.
In the interest of political neutrality shouldn't cnnpolitics.com have replaced the current lead story – Palin says Obama putting ambition above country – with the most relevant story, namely that Palin improperly used her power to force the staff resignation. Maybe it will change later
i am confused, i could of sworn abuse of power was considered breaking the law.
Is anyone really surprised at this development?
Good. This would have been the most dangerous couple since
Boris and Natasha of the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon.
My question is this: americans see all these and yet they put a blind eye and vote for the repugs??? Unbelievable! Something is terribly wrong and we need someone to state in black and white why these is. Go Obama!!
Should've vetted her.
Shame on you all who support her! Our country is going thru tough times and we need someone who is knowledge and intelligent !
Get lost Grandpa and his nurse!!!
BOY HOWDY THIS IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED TO PUT THE ELECTION TO BED. I CAN SEE JOE BIDEN JUMPING ON THIS LIKE A DUCK ON A JUNE BUG. THIS IS GOOD FODER FOR THE TABLOIDS AND ALL THE RAGS TO START TO TEAR HER LIMB FROM LIMB.
Who is the real Saharah Palin? Who is the real governor of Alaska? Is it the first dud? lets talk about TRUST! T R U S T. HMMMMM This lady sure dose sound like DIK Cheeney. People have been waiting for a sign from GOD on whom to vote for, Well Whoops There It Is! Actually i take no pleasure in ellected oficials falling because of betraying the public trust. It is sad and a wast of the publics time and money. We need a change in paradigm in theis country, we need President Obama and Vice President Biden and Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton!
No surprise! Ambition more important than ethical behavior. Today she is projecting that onto Obama. Interesting. I would say she is pretty transparent.
Well, well **abuse of power**. That's an entrenched Republican trait that will tickle the fancy of Republicans everywhere. Democrats think this is a character flaw, a manifestation of blind ambition and power, but its par for the course for Republicans. They wallow in their greed, ambition, and corruption.
Do not vote this blindly ambitious pair into office.
Obama-Biden in 25 days!!!!
Spiro Agnew lives again!
She abused her power but did not break the law?!! I don't understand. If she abused her power as governor what do you think she will do as VP or president. She is already stating Obama is not one of us.......Palin is not one of us!!!!!!!!!! McCain Campaign is Raising Cain!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the president abuses his power he cna be impeached!!!!! This is serious!!!
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OMG!!! she abused power but didn't break any law!!!? Could somebody please explain this..
Also if anyone has not watched the documentary "UNCOUNTED". Please do. How people were sent back from polling booths. I hope McCain does not follow this and Obama makes sure that such a thing does not happen this yr. It will be a disaster if it does..
How can she be found of abuse of power, but break no laws? Isn't abusing power breaking the law?
America, I'm urging all of us, the UNITED SATES OF AMERICA to wake up and see McCain/ Palin for what they truly are. MORE of the same, BUSH/CHENEY ALL OVER AGAIN. This TRULY GREAT COUNTRY OF ALL OF OURS (BLACK&WHITE) DESERVE AND SHOULD DEMAND BETTER THAN MORE OF THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE LETS NOT REPEAT HISTORY ALL OVER AGAIN. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL PLANNING ON VOTING FOR McCain/Palin this COUNTRY of ALL OF OURS will SUFFER FOR YOUR FOOLISH DECISIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP ALREADY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!