Alaska Lawmakers Review Palin Report

Legislative Committee Is Meeting Behind Closed Door In Troopergate Investigation

(CBS/ AP)  Alaska lawmakers met behind closed doors Friday to discuss a politically charged ethics report into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her state public safety commissioner.

The Republican vice presidential nominee has been accused of firing a state commissioner to settle a family dispute. But the report, to be released Friday afternoon, is also expected to touch on whether Palin's husband meddled in state affairs and whether her administration inappropriately accessed employee medical records.

Sensitive to accusations of political bias, lawmakers ordered the report be held under the utmost secrecy. Members of a legislative committee were forced to sign a confidentiality agreement before reading it, and each page contained a special watermark and a unique number to trace it if it was leaked.

The inquiry, approved by a bipartisan vote, began before Republican presidential nominee John McCain named Palin his running mate.

Since then, however, the case has been dogged by accusations of political influence, particularly after the Democrat overseeing the case, Sen. Hollis French, predicted an "October surprise" for the McCain campaign.

As lawmakers filed into a meeting room in downtown Anchorage, they were greeted by Palin supporters wearing red clown noses and carrying balloons, cheering that the circus was in town.

Despite all the controversy surrounding McCain's running mate, CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said the scandal pales in comparison with the economic crisis facing the nation. Schieffer said that regardless of the outcome of Friday's report, the economy will continue to take priority in voters' minds.

Some Republicans have questioned why the committee has insisted on finishing the investigation Friday, which they said was an arbitrary date meant to damage the McCain-Palin campaign with less than a month to go before Election Day.

Before lawmakers broke for their closed session, Republican state Rep. Peggy Wilson questioned whether the committee was rushing to a conclusion without time to read the estimated 300-page report and 1,000 pages of supporting documents.

"This is a pretty serious thing and I don't feel comfortable even talking about it until I've got it all read," Wilson said. "I don't know if anyone else, maybe they're speed readers, but I spent hours on it yesterday and I didn't have time to read it all."

But the committee chairman, Democratic Sen. Kim Elton, offered no delay.

"I could have spent four days, but I do believe that within the first two to three hours, I had a good understanding of what the investigator's findings were," he said.

The legislative panel's investigation - one of two that are ongoing - focuses on Palin's firing in July of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan. Monegan says Palin and her husband pressured him to fire Mike Wooten, a state trooper involved in a nasty divorce and custody dispute with the governor's sister. When Monegan resisted, he says, he was fired.

Palin's critics say that shows she used her office to settle family affairs.

"When you're the governor, you leave your household hat at home and you become governor," said state Senate President Lyda Green, a Republican who has frequently clashed with Palin.

The report is also expected to focus on Palin's husband, Todd, who had extraordinary access to the governor's office and her top aides. Todd Palin acknowledges calling and meeting over the course of many months with numerous senior government officials about Wooten, whom he described as a dangerous and unstable man who had threatened his family.

---

Todd Palin's Affadavits In "Troopergate" Investigation

---

Steve Branchflower, a retired prosecutor hired by the Legislature, also investigated whether anyone in the Palin administration pressured auditors to deny Wooten's disability claim. He had claimed he hurt his back moving a body bag, but Todd Palin later said he documented and took photos of Wooten riding a snowmobile that cast suspicion on his injury.

The McCain campaign sought to pre-empt the potentially embarrassing report this week by releasing its own analysis, attributing Monegan's firing to a legitimate dispute over budget priorities and control over the department. They contend that Monegan repeatedly tried to circumvent the governor and her top aides.

"It's not a legal matter as much as a political issue, a management issue, management of her staff," said Thomas Van Flein, an attorney hired by Palin to represent her in the matter.

Monegan had not seen the closely held report Thursday night and said he did not know what to expect.

"I just hope that the truth is figured out," Monegan said in a telephone interview Thursday. "That the governor did want me to fire him, and I chose to not. You just can't walk up to someone and say, 'I fire you.' He didn't do anything under my watch to result in termination."

In an interview with CBS News, Monegan said Todd Palin's involvement, "speaks to the level of his passion," or rather, Monegan said, Palin's "obsession" with the case.

Of Wooten, Monegan said, "He's not a bad cop."

[craigh9]

Dear America,

Please join me in a 5 year effort. This November through November 2013 PLEASE VOTE AGAINST anyone that is currently seated in Congress, in State Legislatures, and even in local communities.
Our country is falling apart and "experience in government" only means they know how to line their pockets and do nothing except walk a fine enough line to get re-elected time after time.
THE ONLY WAY to get America back on track is to eliminate EVERY INCUMBANT SEATED TODAY.
NO EXCEPTIONS. Do not think that "YOUR" representative is different than anyone elses. THEY ALL MUST GO - EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
That is the ONLY way that our govenrment might get away from the "what''s in it for me" attitude so prevelant today, back to "what''s in the best interest of my country."
We need to do this NOW.

[babooph]

Palin let her hubby run things -IF ONLY BUSH HAD DONE THAT WITH HIS WIFE!!!

[harbinger09]

DOUCMENTS AND VIDEO PROVE PALIN IGNORES SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE!!!! Sarah Palin''''''''s own records and video show her at her Wasilla Assemblies of God church promising church members that she will do all she can to inject God into the government. What the congregation and other taxpayers did not know--is that the plane trip, hotel and expenses to Wasilla were paid for by the taxpayer as Palin charged the entire trip to government expenses.

Wow, stay tuned Sarah--you are in the big leagues now--and you can''''''''t hide behind moose dressing or a misunderstanding--no respect for the law, no respect for the Constitution...when this is over, you may wish YOU were Bill Ayers.

http://www.rr.com/view/content

/story.cfm?storyId=5984716&view=HOME&n
ew
sgroup=9000&sSect=HOM_1

[tigerrram9]

Now what John McCain? What is next for our country? Are you going to allow Todd Palin into your meetings and access to top level information?
What is next? What are you going to say about your maverick now? We don''t need a power hungry maverick in the White House. Or the spouse of a power hungry maverick trying to run our country. What is the GOP going to do about picking the wrong inexperience candidate for the VP position. Is the GOP or McCain ticket going to finally admit that America was not put first (Country First). That the choice for VP was politically motivated.
Come on tell the truth, Why Sarah Palin? You let her run like a maverick and incite hate in her rallies. You even have your supporters shouting racial slurs and K... Obama. That is what your VP is doing preaching hatred. Those days are long gone Sir, when Americans were killing other Americans for the color of their skin. Is that what you are promoting Mr. McCain? You want to go back in time and start killing other Americans, shame on you and Sarah for inciting all that hate in your rallies.
SHAME ON YOU

[renonv5]

We don''t need another power abuser in office. She clearly thinks the laws do not apply to her and we are just finishing eight long years of that kind of mentality. Bad choice McCain.

[tbuckl]

NO Way! She didn''t abuse her power, how like her running mate she is. She right for the white house, that where those who abuse American end up. Can these 2 monkeys do one better than the present swindle by Corp. America and their banks? When will the government be issuing the ball & chains to enslave the America Citizens?

[sherwoodm]

Hello

I have been up all night trying to figure out how Sarah Palin could violate the state of Alaska''s statutes as relates to ethics, while at the same time not committing a crime in firing Commissioner Monehan...it was confusing. Then it all fell into place. To understand the verdicts, you have to realize there are TWO VERDICTS.

1. She violated the law, is guilty of Abuse of Power as relates to her (and Todd''s) vendetta against her former brother-in-law (Wooten) the state trooper. It was her efforts to get Trooper Wooten fired that put her on the wrong side of the law. She therefore committed a criminal offense, and should be impeached. Is quilty of an Abuse of Power.

Where the issue gets clouded, is that everyone, including myself was focued in on the man she fired. That was/is THE SECOND VERDICT. She was found if you will not quilty on this charge, as Commisioner Monehan SERVED AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR...she had every right to fire him, even if her reasons were less than honorable.

When you dissect and separate the two decisions made, the report MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD, and you realize that what Sarah Palin has done is a VERY SERIOUS OFFENSE. She is guilty of Abuse of Power in attempting to have Trooper Wooten fired, is innocent of the second charge of actually firing Trooper Wooten''s superior, Commissioner Monehan.

Sherwood Martinelli

[bragova]

To anybody who''s interested in this, I recommend reading the report. It''s really pretty entertaining--most of it is testimony. There are links to it on MSNBC and Fox.

And an example of the Trooper''s "bad conduct" was driving his kids to school in a police car--turned out he''d gotten permission to do it because the chief wanted him available for duty immediately.

[joenikk]

Dear Mrs. Palin,

You got some learning to do.
There was ways to fire people in government,
there no longer is.

1) When you notice you order materials with the shipping of the materials seprate from the invoice,
then you check for reasons why warehouses will be burning down.
2) The first smoke alarm should go off when your law enforcement "needs" convicts to work on the highways. This indicates that large numbers of personnell obviously must be at fault.
3) The next indicate is when you police need to attach shipping invoices for you in the middle of the shipping process. This indicates that some buricrat doesn''t know what it means when there is defective fule being shipped.
4) The final alarm, when the Tresury Department
employees indicate to you, they ordered the fuel trucks to drive around empty, this indicates the fuel will not get there to start the construction materials warehouse on fire, because concrete and rebar do not burn well without a law enforcement officer to provide instruction.

If you find you need any further instruction, have little concern. The law enforcement officer, who fortunatly is the only person in the entire country, who can truly understand the correct meathod of delivery of evidence from the warehouse security cameras, is probily done with the construction of the addition on his house and will be available to address you directly.

[rk131-2009]

She abused her power, not by trying to have her ex-brother-in-law fired because his behavior was not conducive to his position, but because she fired Monegan for not firing the trooper, who didn''t fire the trooper because he was cleared of wrongdoing. The abuse of power was not what she was trying to do, but HOW she did it. Furthermore, the fact her husband was allowed access to her office, access to personnel files, and access to medical records is contemptible, illegal, and shows a total lack of judgment on Palin''s behalf. Medical records contain private, confidential information that is protected by federal and state laws, and access is only appropriate if required to perform a job function. Is her husband the tag-along candidate? If she becomes president, is he allowed to veto bills and make executive decisions? Will she conduct herself in the same manner in the White House? Will medical records and personal info be open to Palin, her husband, and any staff if you oppose them? Perhaps we should throw away the Constitution and the Bill of Rights while we are at it. WHO WANTS HER AS VP?!

[sramadera]

Since I can''t actually find the report, only the reporter''s opinion about what the report might say according to the wishful thinking of the reporter. I thought I would let you know what the McCain-Palin statement was after the report was released. I know that CBS only prints what is helpful to Obama and nothing more.

From: Walshe, Shushannah [FNC Embed Producer assigned to McCain/Palin campaign]
Sent: Fri Oct 10 21:46:39 2008
Subject: Fw: Statement From McCain-Palin Spokeswoman Meg Stapleton

STATEMENT FROM MCCAIN-PALIN SPOKESWOMAN MEG STAPLETON

Friday, October 10, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA %u2014 McCain-Palin 2008 spokeswoman Meg Stapleton issued the following statement on today%u2019s release of Stephen Branchflower%u2019s report:

%u201CToday%u2019s report shows that the Governor acted within her proper and lawful authority in the reassignment of Walt Monegan. The report also illustrates what we%u2019ve known all along: this was a partisan led inquiry run by Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten given his violent and rogue behavior. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact. The Governor is looking forward to cooperating with the Personnel Board and continuing her conversation with the American people regarding the important issues facing the country.%u201D

###

[newslink]

What kind of Review is this? This woman Abused her Power in Office. And it does not matter, what you call it. It is Wrong and it should be dealt with. Palin can not be trusted. It is what it is.

[bennyblack1]

Put yourself in Sarah Palin''s position? Wouldn''t any of YOU protect your own family, like you would protect yourselves? I fail to see your reasoning. It''s pretty clear to me that Officer Wooten is on his way to being a psychopathic killer. I, for one, am glad the story came out before he could do anything more. He is now the object of attention as a warning.

[baronstrnbrg]

And there are people who want to put this woman a heart''s beat away from the presidency, which would put a man with a briefcase with launchcodes at her beck and call, and the power to invoke National Policy Directive 59 at her fingertips.

The only question is, which of these people should get Haldol and which should get Thorazine?

[bennyblack1]

I think what we have seen here is a decision that Gov Palin made. And I respect her for it. The trooper in question was married to her sister. Unstable men with power frequently do things because they think they will get away with them. From what I have seen in the past with other men, Wooten probably thought that Governor Palin would be more concerned about her image as the governor in office, than to insure the safety of her sister. She is a family woman, and that is apparent, and it is clear that family is far above any position of influence and power. To Officer Wooten''s surprise, she chose to protect family, her sister, whom she could not replace. I believe that she was justified in using her power in an attempt to remove him. I believe, also, that she would not have attempted to do so without investigative reasoning. She is not a woman overcome by mere emotion, but rather, utilizes her intelligence with logic to insure she is acting in good faith with her conscience and the law. I don''t see any report stating that Wooten went to psychological counseling during or after his divorce. I don''t see any report so far, on his mental ability to uphold the law. After all, Governor Palin may have been dealing with a potential socio-path who has power -- with a gun. And, Wooten, carrying a gun, knowing the whereabouts of his ex-wife, would be dangerous.

[anya136]

WHO IS THE REAL SARAH PALIN?

She''s abusive of her power.

She''s not up to the job of VP


She has irresponsibly fired up Republican fundamentalists into HATE and FEAR.


Palin has gone beyond the pale.

[memesusan]

So now the media is focused on someone who suggested a Trooper be fired because he
1. Made death threats against her family
2. Threatened to %u201Ctake Palin down%u201D
3. Drove a patrol car while drinking
4. Tasered his 10 year old son (He was a TASER INSTRUCTOR!!)
5. Illegally shooting a moose (He was a Wildlife Investigation Officer
What would you have done if it had been your family?

Amazing while there are so many more serious issues to be decided like:
1. Will we have any money in our banks?
2. Will our grandchildren have the freedoms we enjoy?
3. Will our Nation still be the United States of America?
4. Will we be completely taken over into Socialism?
5. Will we have a leader who will stand up for us against the terrorists?
6. Will we the people still be able to stand up and pledge allegiance to our flag under God?
What will you do?

[memesusan]

Aren%u2019t these headlines a little misleading? So what is the problem exactly?

While the report does conclude that Palin %u201Cabused her power as governor%u201D %u2014 on the fundamental questions that started investigation, which was her firing, report says she was well w/in her rights and did nothing wrong. Cleared on that initial investigative point. What she is accused of abusing her power in is reporting the bad behavior. Report does not suggest she should have handled it in another way and law doesn%u2019t say she should have.

%u2026on the firing - she did nothing wrong.
%u2026accused of abusing her power by reporting the bad behavior? But it does not say she should have done anything differently?
So where is there a problem?
If someone tasered your nephew would you report it?

[chimpyout]

The circus may be in town, but the joke''s on Twitty Palin.

Theoretically a worthy successor to Alberto Gonzalez.

Send out the First Dude to kick azz?

[smurfcrusher]

I want to see this report! We have a right to know who this candidate is.