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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Some maverick!
Although Palin violated the "trust" of her office this also could be the bases for impeachment. However in the end this has to do with McCains judgement for choosing her as VP knowing she was being investigated.
There will probably not be a movement in the Alaskain legislature to impeach Palin for abuse of power because they will be afraid she will come after them. She even had the libraian of her town fired!
Glad I don't live in Alaska!!!
An Alaska judge warned Gov. Sarah Palin's family against trying to get her then-brother-in-law fired, according to court records.Investigators want to know if Sarah Palin tried to use her position improperly to get her former brother-in-law fired.
Palin,you reap what you sow more than you sow later than you sow.
Now lets get to the bottom of AIP
It's obvious that the dark hand of Bill Ayers and his evil apprentice Barry, groomed to terrorize from age 8, are behind this whole dastardly report. And the mean liberal media only cares about destroying this fine woman! Why don't you do reports on Farrakhan, Rezko, and ACORN? Sarah's one of us! Leave her alone and stop trying to turn us all into socialists!
the claim that she was trying to protect her family when death threts were made twords them... what ever letts you sleep at night... tell me how firing someone keeps them from killing someone in your family?
she need to step aside she cannot be trusted.
LET ME GET THIS RIGHT.
Governor Palin's firing of Commissioner Monegan was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statutory authority to hire and fire executive branch department heads.
AND
Harbor Adjustment Service of Anchorage, and its owner Ms. Murleen Wilkes, handled Trooper Michael Wooten's workers' compensation claim property and in the normal course of business like any other claim processed by Harbor Adjustment Service and Ms. Wilkes. Further, Trooper Wooten received all the workers' compensation benefits to which he was entitled.
BUT SHE STILL ABUSED HER POWER? tHE REASON, SHE DIDN'T STOP TODD HER HUSBAND FROM MOUTHING OFF.
THIS IS STUPID.
I don't want her to step out of the race. Then McCain would probably replace her with Mitt Romney and that might cause a problem for Obama. Just let her stick around until she and McCain lose. Then she can go back to Alaska and live her pathetic life – if they even want her back.
This is too funny.
First, Monegan says on August 30th, "For the record, no one has ever said fire Wooten. Not the governor. Not Todd. Not any of the other staff."
But, a liberal like Hollis French, as well as the other Democrats on the committee that Obama's website once proclaimed as proud Obama supporters, have blatantly tainted the investigation with partisan politics.
Even the trooper in question, Wooten, admitted he tasering his stepson and shooting a moose for no reason, and was even accused of making threats against Palin's family. And for this, she abused her power?
I will concede that the "budget reason" excuse is fishy, but you have Monegan who first said he wasn't pressured, and Wooten who admitted he did some pretty despicable acts and you have to attack Palin?
Wow. I have no idea if this will even get posted because I disagree with the vast majority of you, but I find it interesting that you guys are trying so hard to dig up dirt on Sarah Palin without even looking at your democratic nominee for president. Just goes to show the monumental hypocrisy from the left and their desire for power.
Regretful. People in power who lack judgment and perspective have the makings of a tyrrant. Regretful because the lady was a young fresh face in the national political arena. Nothing is coming John McCain's way.
B-b-b-b-but Palin's appointed invesitgators found her innocent!
Shouldn't we trust Palin's team of investigators more?
(Yeah right.)
Perhaps with McCain's statement that Obama is a good man and would be a fine president, he just feels he would be better will help theis country heal, not break apart at a time we ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.
Much respect to an Honorable man, Sen. John McCain.
What a stunning choice McCain made for his running mate.
Great vetting.
Phenomenal judgement.
Whereas the likelihood of Cheney having had to take over for Bush may have been relatively low, the odds of Palin having to take over for a dead, dying, or obviously senile McCain are frighteningly real.
Thanks, John, for your thoughtfulness in giving us your best possible candidate for VP.
We owe you a real debt of gratitude.
Country first.
You betcha.
SO FINALLY THIS PALIN NOT ONLY TRIED TO SECEDE FROM USA BUT EVEN HAS COMMITED ABUSE OF POWER ! SCARY ! SCARY ! BECAREFUL EXPECIALLY WOMEN, FOR SHE IS ANTI- WOMEN AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE DEMANDED FOR MORE POWER FOR VP DURING HER DEBATE WITH BIDEN !! WHAT ARE HER INTENSIONS HERE ? BESIDES SHE IS UNQUALIFIED ! GOD SAVE AMERICA FROM THIS MOOSE KILLER AND THE DUMMY McCAIN !
She Also Abused Women That Had Been Raped By Charging Them For Rape Kits!
femal voter October 10th, 2008 8:50 pm ET
Oh please. She broke no laws. Per this report, the Governor can fire her appointees at will. She doesn't need a reason to fire him. This was nothing more than a political witch hunt.
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Somthing tells me famal voter has a penis?
Hmm....Last time I checked 'abuse of power' IS breaking the law! OH! I get it.....THAT law just doesn't apply to Sarah Palin.... How convenient.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!!
SAY IT AINT SO!!
OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!!!!
SUPRISE!!! A Democrat charged with investigating a Republican finds them guilty. Watch the Liberal media and their Kool-Aid drinking fans go rabid on this one.
NObama...No Way...No How
Femal Voter....
What is a femal voter by the way. This was not a witch hunt. This was a bipartisan panel that voted unanimously that she abused her power and violated the trust of the people of Alaska. She violated the TRUST of the people she was representing. Broken laws or not she VIOLATED the TRUST of the people of Alaska. How can we TRUST her now???
JA she is realy ready. Presenting as utsider but the same time compromised her self on so many levels. Speaking about trust and etic- but violating it; speaking about being mom – but never with children; speaking about personal responsibility for children vs. goverment being but not being responsible for own teen daughter misbehaviour and underage pragnancy; speaking about patriotisam and have husbant who is member of movement for independant Alaska........ she ie realy what we need..Mc Same is Mc Insane..and we with him!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see republicans being angry , and we should be THIS IS MAKING AS ALL LOOK STUPID THAT WE SUPPORT THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mc Shame desapear with your mistres.
Being from Alaska there are many like myself that have been aware of her abuse of power and I am glad that it is finally exposed! I would also like to add that Sarah Palins approval rating here in Alaska is at 68% however; due to this new development as an Alaskan I wouldn't be surprised if it sinks even further... Here in Alaska we deserve a better Governor and the Nation deserves a better choice for the Republican Ticket for V.P.!