Oct 10 2008
Palin abused office
Not entirely unexpected…
Alaska panel finds Palin abused power in firing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – 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.
The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor’s sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.
The panel found that Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed. “I feel vindicated,” Monegan said. “It sounds like they’ve validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I’m not totally out in left field.”
Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.[..]
The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.
You have to kind of wonder about the last sentence of that article, though. If, as the first sentence indicates, what she did was unlawful, why will there be no sanctions or criminal investigation? When the rest of us break the law we usually pay the consequences for our actions. Why should an exception be made for the Republican vice presidential nominee?
But you know what? None of this is going to matter and everybody is going to forget about it (and Sarah Palin) in a few weeks anyway. You gotta admit, though, she was fun while she lasted. You betcha. Wink, wink.
7 Responses to “Palin abused office”
It was a given that the Gopper political establishment in Alaska wasn’t going to recommend any sanction for her, since they’re all trying hard to
get her the hell out of Alaskaget John McKeating and her elected. I said the other night that she need not fear any legal troubles.Love your blog! Gotta link to you.
A general comment:Great site! I don’t agree with everything but such a good site that I have added you to my blog under ‘Blogs I like…’.
I have tried my best not to comment on the Sarah Palin Saga but this report won’t be a major obstacle for these hard-core politicians to overcome. They will spin the populace into further ignorance. Interesting times!
Zee
I would have fired the guy also. She had plenty of other reasons. Like failure to cut his budget. This is nothing compared to having Jim Johnson on your staff.
@Jerry : Oh, really? Whatever gets you through the night, my friend.
Some pundit (and not even a right winger) either in Keith Olbermann or Chris Matthews show was already talking that Palin would come out all of this mess as the winner and is already well placed, I mean, poised for 2012.
Oh, BTW, I also read your blog everyday and is in my favorite list.
Today, I heard Palin called Moosilini, and after this dodging of any reprimand for her abuse of power, I think it fits.