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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Oops... If she's prone to abusing power how much further will she go if she gets more power?
She fired him cause the kid got sparked with the stun gun. Whatever. She already made herself into a fool. She will lose her re-election bid and we will look back and laugh at all the SNL skits because thats who she really is.
So once again it would seem that Good ole instigator Sarah got away with abusing her power. She's shown her ability to be a female Cheney. You go girl!!
Obama 08
I am starting to feel bad for McCain. I think he allowed his campaign to be hijacked by the ridiculous right wing element of his party. Now the chickens are coming home to roost – goodbye Republican party. See you in ten years or so...
And she wants to be VP? Hell no!
I knew she was guilty. This woman makes my blood boil! she claims to be a christian... She lies, cheats and steals in my eyes. She has been on her little stump spewing lies about Obama and I just can't believe the American people can believe such nonsense. You would think they were a bunch of brainless idiots. I will be so glad when she packs up her moose bones and goes back to Alaska and is never heard from again. I have never seen such meaness in my entire life it's just unbelievable. Now we find out she did...Well Mrs. Palin who is the lier and evil doer now....would it be YOU !!!!
Do we really want another Cheney in the WH?????
Say No to CRONYISM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I'm glas she only 'abused her power'. It would be a shame for her to have to finish her campaign for vice president of the United States of America from an Alaskan jail cell. This is so sick – she is a dangerous and vicious person. No real Christian could ever support such an individual. She sins over and over again and lies about it and winks and smiles. Those looking for the anti-christ, keep your eye on this woman...
So basically she abused her power and but broke no laws.
Hmmm....... Yeah she was a hellva pick – CHENY...
Who cares? We've known all along it was personal. Either way, McCain and Palin are done. Stick a fork in it and call it a day. This Republican is voting Obama in November!
Really...after all we've seen the last six weeks, is anyone surpised with this ruling?
Abuse of power should be enough to peel the scales off the eyes of the American voters...at least I hope and pray!
Governor is still insisting that signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars should be immiment.
Hopefully, McCain,72, will retire now.
Palin has the "integrity" of Dick Cheney, but not half of the intelligence. I don't know if that is less scary, or more!
I am so fed up with "Abuses of Power"!
SCANDALOUS
THAT's ALL WE NEED! Another VP who abuses power!
Today, at a townhall meeting, McCain was forced to defend Obama from fanatical questioners. McCain said that Obama was a decent family man. I BEG someone to create a TV ad which starts with Palin ominously asking "who is the real Obama" as she did several days ago and them immediately shows McCain explaining that he is a decent family man, and then the narrator says: "Is John McCain's mavericky running mate getting too mavericky even for John McCain?"
so the backlash should be? Abusing power as a govenor ...using her office to settle family scores...what will she do as VP?
And she asks us if we know Obama?
What kind of ruling is this? She abused the power, but did not break the law .... isn't 'abuse of power' illegal!
Surprise, surprise..
ha. So much for Palin being a reformer. When will she leave the ticket?
SHE IS A PROVEN ABUSER OF POWER!
god bless Palin and win win win -u rock girl!!
This is very bad. Imagine if she does become our next VP and finally our President she would also abuse her power. Very Very UGLY!!!!
so if she abused power as a gov. imagine what kind of damage she could do being the vice president