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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This woman is a ego driven, ignorant, intolerant , shallow, hyper ambitious power freak. She did in Alaska what she is trying to do to Obama now. It is time for America to send the Moose Witch back to Wasilla.
If Sarah Palin lacked credibility before, she now has a credibility deficit!
Obama-Biden '08!
Exposed , phony , anti-american this is a new republican low. she deserves it all. WATCH OUT FOR A REPUBLICAN OCT. SUPRISE NOW!!!!!!!
Sarah belongs back in alaska and was a total farce from the start. I personally can think of many women who are better suited for V.P. She hasa role somewhere, but this aint it..
" BYE BYE MCshame & Painlin " Now grandpa mcsame can enjoy retire !
OBAMA / BIDEN 08'
is anyone surprised??
This is not a surprise. It was just a matter of whether or not they would be able to delay it until after the election. I'm very disappointed in McCain's VP pick although I wasn't going to vote for him anyway, until he picked Palin I thought it was nearly due to a difference of stances on the issues. The man is inconsiderate to put us at risk of having her in office and the GOP is crazy if they think they are setting her up for a run in four years. Finishing school only goes so far.
No surprise. Now let's look into her connections to a fringe group dedicated to breaking Alaska away from the United States. Palin is unfit to lead.
"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."
I thought the AP story said that she didn't break any laws, but abused her political position. This article states that she broke state law!
That is a lot more serious.
Federal employees who break ethics laws see a combination of the Steel Bar Hotel and hefty fines ($100's k).
Did she break the law, or didn't she? And if so, what's the punishment?
When a good man like John McCain selected Sarah Palin as his VP, I was stunned. In my professional career I have observed women like Palin, overly ambitions, mouthy ,mean-spirited and a total attack dog, the last woman who should be the first woman to sit in the White House. Her stump speeches about Obama were dishonest and totally over-the-top and helped convince me that I would never vote the McCain/Palin ticket. The news that she abused her power as governor of Alaska did not surprise me one bit. As a woman, I would love to see a woman as VP but not this woman, ever!
A Senior Southern Lady – Independent voter
Now I see why the republicans were trying to throw so much dirt at Obama, they figured if they hit Obama from all directions Palins troopergate violations would not look all that bad. WRONG, this is terrible and if you had not been slinging mud at Obama people would not be so happy to throw this back at you McCain.
Jeez, It just keeps coming doesn't it. McCain's choice of a running mate has been disasterous. Between the the venom and the hatred displayed in Mccain and Palin rallys, and now she broke the law. Great pick McCain!
This just proves that McCain/Palin are a bunch of frauds. Anyone voting for them would be idiots!!!!!
And this decision was rendered by 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats! Let's see how McCain, Palin, and Hannity try to spin this!!
Abuse of power...
McCain's poor judgment fueled by opportunistic desire for power...
This is not shocking. The veil has been lifted.
SNL WILL HAVE MORE OF FADER.
She is more like George Bush than McCain is. She's as near a perfect vacuum as has existed on this earth. She was not piucked for the female vote, but for white males. If she wasn't decent looking she would not have been picked. What a very poor choice on the part of McCain.
If I was Sarah, I'd have done the same thing.
Americans have to start realizing we have a domestic abuse problem.
Good for Sarah supporting her family.
Well, here it is. The woman who would be Vice President. They should also discuss her affiliation w/the Alaska Independence Party (Secessionists).
McCain and Palin are effectively destroying what is left of the Republican party. The hate that flowing from their rallies is waking alot of people up and pushing them into Obama's camp.
Obama/Biden 2008/2012.
ha, ha, I knew it. poor mccain, he should have kept lie-berman.
Wonder how they are going to try to spin this one.
Abusing power? By that "maverick"?
Say it ain't so, Sarah.
It's over for the your White House attempt.
We don't wanna the same abuse of power as Bush and Chenney.
For the brownshirts who attend Palin rallies, this finding will be viewed as liberal media bias. It is understandable if a politician violates the public trust, as long as that politician is Republican.
IMPEACH PALIN
ha, so much for the clean up washington rhetoric
I see a pattern–
"I said thanks but no thanks to that bridge from nowhere..."
LIE
"So I sold that jet on ebay"
LIE (well at best an exaggeration into untruth)
"I welcome the investigation"
LIE (or at least not holding her word)
"I fired him over a budget dispute..."
LIE
And she is out there stumping on the "high moral ground?" Please. Go away Palin. My country doesn't need your lies and hate-mongering.
McCain: thanks for showing me a bit of hope today in your town hall rally. That is the McCain I remember and liked.
THANK GOD. THIS WOMAN, PALIN, IS SEEKING ONE OF THE HIGHEST POSITION IN OUR COUNTRY TO PICK JUSTICES. PALIN IS NOT FIT.