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.
Is this a surprise to anyone? Now fox news and the republican attack dogs are going to unleash their swift boat attacks over the weekend; so excited for more bull@#$% to come from the wrong(right)wing
This shows McCain outrageous judgment by his picking of this unqualified and immoral person. He did not pick her because she was the best person for the job, he picked her solely on her far right radical views on conservative social issues. She is just as bad, if not worse than Dick Cheney. Sarah Palin is downright disgusting with all of her radical attacks and lies and hypocrisies. People who vote for this lady need some medical help. She is downright dangerous for this country.
There you go.
At her recent rallies, Ms. Palin has been abusing the power granted to her by McCain and the Republican party by having her as his Vice Presidential running mate. After these past few weeks, what else would we have expected the finding to be?
Now at least McCain has another game changer on his hands, and he can finally drop her from the race. Next time, go with someone who at least did not support or defend her antics.
Sarah Palin should withdraw from the race as we have already suffered through an unethic Vice President who has also abused their power!
Can't you see what this country would be like if we went ahead with Mc Cain and Palin? I do not want to know.
McKlan's number one sidekick is nothing but TRASH!
Is anyone surprised by this? Now who is she going after now?
CNN why wont you headline all of Palin and McCain dirt!
Whats up with you guys!!!!!
I can't wait to hear the spin that the McCain campaign tries to put on this.
And who will she fire over what if she ever became our vice president.
These two need to hit the road and never look back.
Palin should take McShame back to Alaska with her. Oh and don't forget the other crazy, cindy.
THE THREE OF YOU.....GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!!!!!!!
Why is CNN saying this is not a violation of law? Always the spin. Other stations are calling it like it is..... abuse of power is breaking the law. Palin has lied, cheated and now violates the public trust. She slanders good people. This is not change that this Country needs. I am shocked and appalled that McCain subjected this Country to Palin. We do not need him leading this Country and certainly don't need her abusing a much higher power and violating the Country's trust.. No McCain and No Palin!
Hopfuly McCain's statement that Obama is a fine man and would be a great president, he just thinks that he would be better.
In a time when we need to all work together in tough times instead of breaking apart.
Much thanks to a man of true honor – John McCain.
October 10th, 2008 9:20 pm ET
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There goes the last wheel on the Straight Talk Express.
Thank God for McCain the "Distraction and Misinformation Express" is raging to go….
All I have to ask is this…..
=— Do we REALLY know Sarah Palin? —=
And yeah, I do know Obama… been watching him for 20+months now.
what's new? palin and mccain are both disicples of carl rove. i hope for a landlide victory for ALL decocratic camdidate. we;ve had to put up with rove and his lies for the last 10 or 12 years. enough is enough.
also, my whole family is registered republician, but carl rove made 9 out of 11 of us democrats for this election. Thanks
I just cannot see how anyone in their right mind could even consider, let alone do it, vote for the PALIN/McCain ticket.
John McCain has just lost the election. Shame on Sarah Palin for not taking her power seriously.
So much for being a maverick...It's more of the same.
If you abused power once, you will do it again inside the White House.
"So it ain't so, Sarah Palin..?"
Why Wasn't anyone seriously asking, WHO IS SARA PALIN? Americans were completely willing to elect Sara Palin to the possible highest
office in the land, to take charge of their lives, knowing absolutely
nothing of substance about her. This is how Hitler got into power.
At least Senator Obama has been vetted. Believe me, he would not
have gotten this far without the feds going over him with a fine tooth
comb. You can’t say the same about Sara Palin. It will be too late when
you can’t check certain books out of the library, or your daughter who’s
pregnant from rape can’t have an abortion because fascist Palin won’t
allow it. Americans should wake up and stop being vunerable and
stupid in their responsibility to elect a qualified person to office.
What she seemed qualified before this report found her guilty of abuse of power? I must of missed something.
Absuing government power, breaking ethics laws... she learns the Washington dance REAL quick!
You betcha!
I never resonated with Palin, and all the more think that she is NOT qualified to be our leader.
After this you can stick a fork in the mcstain campaign cuz it's done.
Everyone complains about who Obama hangs out with. Look at the company McCain keeps. His own VP choice is corrupt, now she really is like all the Washington insiders.
And why noT? What would YOU do if someone was abusing your sister set and take it when you had te power to quell this abusive man. By his own admission he brought Palin's wrath upon him by his actions. I say he did not get enough of a penalty. BUT I'M SURE THE SUPPORTERS OF THE GANGSTER TYPE OBAMA WHO CONDUCTED BUSINESS WITH THE LIKES OF WRIGHT, REZKO, PLEGHER, THE TERRORIST AND NOW PAYING $800,000 TO THE ORGANIZATION WHO COMMITTED VOTER REGISTRATION FRAUD IN THE PRIMARIES AND IS AGAIN TRYING TO DO THE SAME COME NOV 4 IS QUITE ALL RIGHT. Hillary should be the democrat candidate.