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.
From CNN Politics
- Exclusive: McConnell says he has directed Cornyn to engage with Democrats on a 'bipartisan solution' on gun violence
- Results are in: Best Balance Transfer card of 2022
- Michigan board of canvassers deadlocks, blocking 5 GOP candidates for governor from primary ballot
- Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will dispatch Trump-backed primary challenger, CNN projects
- New York appeals court rules Trump, Ivanka and Don Jr. must sit for depositions
- States with the most gun violence share one trait
SHE DESRVE TO STEP DOWN AS GOV.TALKLESS OF BEEN THE NEXT VP OF AMERICA.SHE'S NOTTING BUT A LOSER! AND CAN BE TRUSTED.SHE'S A SNAKE.
This story would matter more if McCain/Palin had a shot at winning....great VP pic Sen McCain...do us all a favor..after you lose.. retire.
I'm sorry, maybe I'm naive, but since when is an abuse of power not illegal?
Reformer?
Sarah managed to get her republican buddies to soften up an obvious abuse of power stunt. I guess it pays off when the McCain camp rushed 12 lawyers to Alaska to beat down this investigation.
However they want to spin this, this lady is not qualified to have any position of national authority.
A few die hard redneck republicans may think she's cute but, I would be willing to bet they would never have her for "their boss".
PUT HER IN JAIL NOW!!!!
So she didn't break a law, but her ethics is questionable. Isn't she supposed to be the maverick reformer? She's supposed to reform Washington. Maybe she should start with herself.
Sarah has abused the trust of those that believed her
HAHAHA!
The joke's on us (the American people).
Given the lack of cooperation by the subpoenaed witnesses, First Dude's carefully crafted, limited written response, the intimidation of all parties by the McPain campaign, what was likely a big job shredding documents & deleting emails, and the general collusion & fraud among the parties under investigation, can we really trust anything in the report?
Nonetheless, "abuse of power" is still a VERY serious finding.
Cheney in a skirt and lipstick.
Just what we need for VPOTUS.
See ya, Sarah!
Abuse of power.
This is what you have to look forward to in a McCain-Palin administration.
It is apparent the Palin does not know how to seperate her personal affairs from her role as an elected official. She accepted per diam pay while living at home and she tried to use her power to hire and fire. This is not someone who should be in National Government. Alaska can figure out if she should be allowed to remain their Govenor. Clearly she should not be VP.
Isn't abusing power breaking the law?
Why am I not surprised!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Palin is bad news for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN'08
Governor Palin is a good example of how the Republicans have operated in the country for 30 years. If they like you, you can do no wrong. (Even if you do. i.e. Enron as only one example) If the hate you they will finance a hate machine to distract the country from the many issues that need attention (i.e. the Bill Clinton impeachment.
It is sad to note the mean spirit that permeates the Republican Radical Right Wing.
I guess we are supposed to be ok with it because abuse of power is not illegal?
I am sick and tired of the lies and the abuse. We have had that for the past 8 years.
NO MORE PALIN! She spreads hate and lies and enjoys it.
How goes Sarah Palin – there goes the Republican presidential campaign! You cannot run for VP and have that kind of reputation – she will abuse power as a federal official also!!
After 8 years of Cheney do we really want another 4 with Palin?
No surprise. The public now sees who the real Palin is. Her lies have caught up to her.
If McSame is trying to portray Obama as one who has bad judgment, this will show that he has bad judgment in selecting a unethical VP.
But to be fair with Palin, she is trying to take Chaney's spot, so she does have show the world that she thinks she is above the law. This is a good way of showing that.
I'll never forget all the nasty stuff the McCain/Palin people have done and said. NEVER
I told you so
This doesn't make any sense! She breaks the law, but doesn't break law?
Sarah you are a hate filled monster! Not now. No way.
-White Woman in Dallas, TX-
Abused her power...just like most republicans
Oh, I am sure that she will come out of this smelling like a rose.... or at least a Wolf in McBarbie clothing. It is amazing how many people will work to hide dirt, if you have enough power. Alaska is a long ways from the mainland just like Hawaii. I am quite sure that the Republican Party has buku folks up there seeing to exactly that very thing.
Sorry if I sound a bit McCynic! Actually, I'm a bit McPissed Off, like a lot of other people around me. We are sick and tired of the mess the Republicans have gotten us into, tired of negative attack ads and McBarbie inciteful fear mongering stumping for McMaverick. McSenile is trying to stay above the fray, but that is naive of him.
"If you lie down with pigs, don't be surprised if you get up smelling like a hog!"
who cares..,. she is stupied... she can't get lower...