Sarah Palin guilty of abuse of power, says State Investigation

[I have got a horsey]

Troopergate Report: Palin 'Abused Power'

By E&P Staff

Published: October 10, 2008 9:40 PM ET

NEW YORK The Anchorage Daily News camped out all day in the hall -- and blogged -- as the state's legislative committee read and then voted on the release of the much-awaited "Troopergate" report involving Gov. Sarah Palin. In the end, the committee voted 12-0, with all Republicans joining in, to release it.

The New York Times noted that the report "was commissioned and released by a bipartisan state legislative panel made up of 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats." The McCain campaign had released its own report yesterday absolving his running mate of any wrongdoing whatsoever.

The Associated Press lede: "Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican ticket.

"Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain."

One key finding: Palin used claims involving personal threats to her family as "cover" for what was really a vindictive action against the trooper for personal reasons.

Here are the four findings from the report, now up in PDF form at the paper's www.adn.com site.

*

FINDINGS:

--Finding Number One

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides

The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.

--Finding Number Two

I find that, although Walt Monegan's refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooten was not the sole reason he was fired by Governor Sarah Palin, it was likely a contributing factor to his termination as Commissioner of Public Safety. In spite of that, 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.

--Finding Number Three

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.

--Finding Number Four

The Attorney General's office has failed to substantially comply with my August 6, 2008 written request to Governor Sarah Palin for information about the case in the form of emails.

Probe accuses Palin of abuse of power (AFP News)

5 hours ago

JUNEAU, Alaska (AFP) — Investigators found vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin abused her powers as Alaska governor, dealing another blow to Republican John McCain's struggling White House bid.

As McCain sought to restore control over his unruly rallies which have seen a stream of invective, including a death threat, targeted at Democratic rival Barack Obama, the "troopergate" scandal threatened to torpedo his campaign.

In a long-awaited 263-page report released on Friday by Alaska's Legislative Council, investigator Steve Branchflower said Palin was guilty of violating ethics rules for public officials.

He said Palin had allowed her husband Todd Palin to use the Alaska governor's office and its resources to pressure officials to fire her former brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten.

"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda, to wit: to get Trooper Michael Wooten fired," the report said.

"She had the authority and power to require Mr Palin to cease contacting subordinates, but she failed to act," the report added.

Palin, the first woman to be selected on a Republican ticket, was plucked from political obscurity in Alaska by the Arizona senator in late August to be his running mate in the November 4 elections.

A devout Christian mother-of-five who is pro-life and a committed hunter, she fired up the party's conservative base, which had not fully embraced McCain.

But her lack of national and foreign experience raised doubts among observers about McCain's hasty judgment in assigning such a high office to a young unknown.

Palin, 44, has become McCain's chief attack dog against Obama, drawing thousands of people to her rallies, and accusing the Chicago senator at the weekend of "palling around with terrorists."

As Obama, 47, took a hefty lead in the polls even in battleground states, McCain's campaign sought to refocus its fight for the White House away from the economy, with relentless, searing attacks.

But a series of negatives ads casting doubt on Obama's character and his past associations backed by frequent pointed questions about who he is, whipped up anger at the Republican rallies, causing widespread concern.

After the US Secret Service said Thursday it was investigating an alleged death threat shouted at a Florida rally, McCain was forced to tone down the attacks.

"We want to fight, and I will fight, but we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments and I will respect him," McCain, 72, told a Minnesota rally Friday.

"I want to be president ... but I have to tell you that he is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States."

Crowds at the rallies had become increasing inflammatory shouting out "terrorist" and "liar" when Obama was mentioned. At one Florida rally, someone even shouted "kill him."

Obama, who has kept his campaign focused on the country's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s, on Friday rebuked McCain for preaching a politics of "anger and division."

"In the last couple of days we have seen a barrage of nasty insinuations and attacks and I am sure we will see much more over the next 25 days," he told an Ohio rally.

"It's easy to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that is not what we need now in the United States, the times are too serious."

The economy is now voters' top concern, and for the first time in a Newsweek poll, Obama was Friday given a double digit lead, of 52 percent with 41 percent for McCain.

The last poll by the magazine a month ago, before the economic crisis began to bit, had the two men tied on 46 percent.

But with 25 days to go before Americans cast their ballots, McCain vowed to come up from behind.

"How many times, my friends, have the pundits written off the McCain campaign?" he told the cheering crowd. "We're going to fool 'em again, my friend!" (AFP news)

Panel: Palin Abused Her Power in Firing of Commissioner (FOX News)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Sarah Palin "abused her power" as governor in the disciplinary case against a state trooper, according to a legislative panel's report released Friday, though it also found that her firing of a state commissioner was "proper and lawful."

The ethics inquiry, which Palin's supporters have called politically motivated, found that a family grudge was a factor in Palin's dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan -- but not the sole factor. The report says Palin failed to keep her husband from meddling in the discipline of the state trooper, her brother-in-law, following a contentious divorce.

The panel of state lawmakers released its report Friday after spending more than six hours in a closed-door session reviewing the findings. At the heart of the investigation was the question of whether Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, had pressured Monegan to fire Trooper Mike Wooten.

Palin has said Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, who drafted the bipartisan panel's report, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

"Today's report showed that the governor acted within her proper and lawful authority in the reassignment of Walt Monegan," Meg Stapleton, a spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said in a written statement.

Stapleton added that the panel's report shows that the inquiry was partisan and that Palin and her husband, Todd Palin, were "completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten, given his violent and rogue behavior."

Monegan, meanwhile, said he felt "vindicated."

"It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions," he said. "And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."

The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.

The investigation revealed that Todd Palin has extraordinary access to the governor's office and her closest advisers. He used that access to try to get trooper Wooten fired, the report found.

Branchflower said Sarah Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Palin and John McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election, in which they face an uphill battle against Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But the panel of lawmakers voted to release the report, although not without dissension.

"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."

Click here to view the panel's report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[JimmyPage1977]

Live from Austrailia....

"It's Saturday Night"

[JimmyPage1977]

Isn't it funny that every article in the National Enquirer leads to a scandal that has prefix-"GATE" in it when the Democrats think that they are on to something? It was a Hotel in DC ........"Watergate Hotel".... the troopers name was not Gate... there isn't even a "gate" in Alaska... Volks-Fn-Wagen......you guys are silly....

[Del Zeppnile]

I'm glad she USED her power by whatever means to deal with that dangerous trooper and the head of the State Police who refused to fire him.

We need more leaders like Palin who are willing do what is needed to keep our citizens safe. Like George Bush has been since 9/11.

Funny how some pantywaist from down under is concerned about what goes on in Alaska.....

Up there in the GREAT WHITE NORTH

[THE FIRST LEDZEP]

Palin Rules

[Rorer714]

Palin Rules

....and McCain drools... nuff said.

The Canadians oughta invade Alaska and capture it as their own. RMCP to the rescue!

[Patrycja]

I love how Palin 'interpreted' the report differently. She did nothing wrong legally, so she did nothing wrong:

Palin says report says she acted lawfully

It was a bipartisan committee, ok? And once again that tricky pesky nuance rears its ugly head. Not breaking the law is not necessarily synonymous with doing the ethically right thing. You can't just stop at "I didn't break the law", ignore the second part, and declare yourself having done nothing wrong in the whole. An impartial group found she violated public trust. That's wrong. If Palin believes she did nothing wrong in any way, legally and ethically, she ought to pursue whatever legal means (if there are any, like an appeal of a court ruling) available to her, instead of 'interpreting' the ruling more favourably for herself.

Edited October 11, 2008 by Patrycja

[Electrophile]

You know how I said she was Cheney in a skirt? I've since re-evaluated my assessment. She's Spiro Agnew with tits.

[Dzldoc]

You know how I said she was Cheney in a skirt? I've since re-evaluated my assessment. She's Spiro Agnew with tits.

You just killed my fantasy

[eternal light]

--Finding Number One

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides

The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.

Governor Palin should have recused herself from taking action and requested an impartial panel to act instead. Had she delegated this authority it might have protected her integrity.

[Rorer714]

You know how I said she was Cheney in a skirt? I've since re-evaluated my assessment. She's Spiro Agnew with tits.

Hehehehe! I like your reassessment!

[I have got a horsey]

You just killed my fantasy

wow...you fancy Spiro Agnew???

[~tangerine~]

I'm glad she USED her power by whatever means to deal with that dangerous trooper and the head of the State Police who refused to fire him.

We need more leaders like Palin who are willing do what is needed to keep our citizens safe. Like George Bush has been since 9/11.

Interesting that you would interpret what Bush has done to our country as "kept it safe". Our economy is proof we are far from safe, and possibly headed towards Socialism, as the "bailout" might suggest. So much for Bush trying to de-regulate the country, now the government owns more of it. Bush has kept Bin Laden and AlQaeda safe.

You are one of the few 20 percent who still approve of Bush...

[shnflacwav]

Just Say No-Bama

Vote Hot Mama!

http://www.pullinforpalin.com/

Edited October 11, 2008 by shnflacwav

[Dzldoc]

wow...you fancy Spiro Agnew???

[THE FIRST LEDZEP]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=386150

Sarah Palin drops puck at Flyers' opener

[Suz]

Governor Palin should have recused herself from taking action and requested an impartial panel to act instead. Had she delegated this authority it might have protected her integrity.

Yeah, cause she's got so much of it.......

[eternal light]

Yeah, cause she's got so much of it.......

Life in a position of power can compromise anyone.

[Suz]

Life in a position of power can compromise anyone.

Ignorance in the form of power can compromise everyone.

[Electrophile]

Sarah Palin got booed off the ice at the Flyers game where she was to drop the ceremonial puck. Of course, people in Philly booed Santa, but Santa is clearly better than this broad.

What the hell was she even doing this for? Philadelphia is about as Democratic as Chicago, the state is solidly blue and she was wearing a Rangers jersey around town which is tantamount to taunting a pit bull with a raw steak.

Here's a picture:

Love the signs in the background.

Edited October 12, 2008 by Electrophile

[eternal light]

Ignorance in the form of power can compromise everyone.

She seems to struggle with some naivete, but I think she learns as she goes, and hopefully learns from her mistakes and does better.

[Del Zeppnile]

Sarah Palin got booed off the ice at the Flyers game where she was to drop the ceremonial puck. Of course, people in Philly booed Santa, but Santa is clearly better than this broad.

What the hell was she even doing this for? Philadelphia is about as Democratic as Chicago, the state is solidly blue and she was wearing a Rangers jersey around town which is tantamount to taunting a pit bull with a raw steak.

Hey, I'm glad there were the typical Philly idiots there to boo Sarah. In other parts of the country that only plays for her and McCain. Just more evidence of how much the radical left is full of shit.

At least she is a canidate who knows how to walk on an ice rink and drop a puck. I'll bet the Kenyan guy has never even been to a hockey game. More of a "warm weather type" if you know what I mean.

Edited October 12, 2008 by Del Zeppnile

[THE FIRST LEDZEP]

I'll bet the Kenyan guy has never even been to a hockey game.

The first Al-Qaeda solider running for the Presidency Of The USA

[Patrycja]

^ So she managed to hit the ice with the puck, did she?

How competent

[~tangerine~]

Hey, I'm glad there were the typical Philly idiots there to boo Sarah. In other parts of the country that only plays for her and McCain. Just more evidence of how much the radical left is full of shit.

At least she is a canidate who knows how to walk on an ice rink and drop a puck. I'll bet the Kenyan guy has never even been to a hockey game. More of a "warm weather type" if you know what I mean.

Philly is diverse in it's population, and while they have as many idiots as any place in this country, they have "passion" and are not afraid to speak up and be heard. I would have a very difficult time not booing her if i was at an event she showed up for (it's not like the majority of the Flyers fans were there to see her).

However, you are obviously a racist. Now you have admitted to it (though i probably missed previous posts where it was noticeable). Yeah, i think we "know what you mean".