Palin: Probe Exonerated Me

While Troopergate Report Said She Broke State Ethics Law, Alaska Gov. Says She's Been Cleared Of Wrongdoing

(CBS/AP)  Despite the finding of a legislative report that she had broken the state's ethics law in the scandal dubbed Troopergate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said Saturday that the report actually cleared her of any "legal wrongdoing or unethical activity."

The report, which was released by Alaska lawmakers Friday, examined whether Palin abused the powers of her office by exerting pressure to have her ex-brother-in-law, an Alaska State Trooper engaged in a bitter divorce and child custody fight with her sister, fired. After the state's public safety commissioner Walter Monegan rebuffed pressure to fire him, Monegan was fired by Palin.

The report affirmed that, as governor, she had the constitutional right to hire and fire at will, and therefore her termination of Monegan was lawful.

However, the report found that Palin, her husband Todd, and her subordinates used pressure and intimidation to try to force the firing of Michael Wooten, beginning before her swearing-in ceremony took place, and therefore broke the law.

The investigation said she violated Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act, which states, "… 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."

Palin said she's happy the report affirmed her right to fire Monegan. But she said she still doesn't think she abused her power like the report says she did. In fact, she said she considered herself vindicated.

In a brief conference call with press reported by the Anchorage Daily News, Palin said, "I’m very, very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing … any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be cleared of any of that."

Palin said that her husband Todd was justified in complaining about Trooper Wooten (which the report finds he did for months on end), and said there was "nothing to apologize [for] there with Todd’s actions, and again very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing."

When reminded that the report's first finding was that she had broken the state's ethics law in pressuring for Wooten's dismissal, Palin responded that she felt she had done nothing wrong at all, and directed her response to the firing of Monegan, which the report said she had the authority to do:

"I think that you’re always going to ruffle feathers as you do what you believe is in the best interest of the people whom you are serving. In this case I knew that I had to have the right people in the right position at the right time in this cabinet to best serve Alaskans, and Walt Monegan was not the right person at the right time to meet the goals that we had set out in our administration.

"So no, not having done anything wrong, and again very much appreciating being cleared of any legal wrongdoing or unethical activity at all."

---

Read the Legislative Committee's Troopergate Report

---

During the call she said she thought the investigation "did turn into a partisan circus."

The Republican-led state legislature began the bipartisan investigation in July. Palin at first agreed to participate, saying that she had nothing to hide.

However, once she was named to the GOP ticket in late August, her cooperation ceased. Subpoenaed witnesses refused to give testimony, and the state's Attorney General, a Palin appointee, tried to get a judge to kill the subpoenas, claiming they were not valid.

The McCain campaign sought to characterize the investigation as a partisan effort aimed at undercutting her vice presidential bid, and was behind legal efforts to block the release of the report, or at least delay it until after Election Day.

Palin's office had accused the head of the investigation of being partisan, when a Wall Street Journal interview with State Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat, implied that the Governor would face impeachment following the probe.

French explained to the Anchorage Daily News that he'd told the Journal that nothing might come of the investigation or, in a worst-case scenario, it could lead to impeachment proceedings, but that the paper didn't use his entire quote. He said the Palin administration overreacted.

After Palin stopped cooperating, more ink was spilled when French talked to ABC News. In a comment about the GOP's vetting process of Palin for the vice presidential spot, he said, "If they had done their job they never would have picked her. Now they may have to deal with an October surprise."

That comment fueled criticism from the Republicans that the investigation was being turned into a smear job, despite the fact that Stephen Branchflower, the lead investigator, was a highly respected former prosecutor.

While the report said Palin broke state ethics laws, it is not within the legislature domain to devise punishment, if any.

That is up to the state Personnel Board, which is made up of three members appointed by the Governor's office.

Palin herself re-appointed one member last year, and another member contributed to her gubernatorial campaign.

[hdtex]

Not only is she a liar but she''s delussional as well.
Keep talking sweetie! You are tanking!!!

[AryeDirect]

Denial. The Republican substance of choice.

- Arye Michael Bender (undeniably)

[f77111]

) Despite the finding of a legislative report that she had broken the state''s ethics law in the scandal dubbed Troopergate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said Saturday that the report actually cleared her of any "legal wrongdoing or unethical activity."

Wow, this woman is nothing if not consistent. Everything that she says is a lie,without exception. I''m starting to believe that she''s a sociopath. Lie after lie,said with a smile and a wink. Scary. I guess that''s how you get ahead in Politics when you have no qualifications or knowledge of anything. Sarah Palin is a con artist. Her latest claim, of being an energy expert has been debunked as well. She knows nothing about anything and couldn''t care less. Her ignorance is her strength ! Palin isn''t even a good puppet !

[Blondshag]

PALIN is the ''GREATEST!''

MEDIA: Why can''t the MEDIA do a story on Obama''s true relationship with Tony Rezko. The American Voters need to know.

THANKS.

[brdier]

In the delusional world view of Sarah Palin...She says it%u2019s true, therefore it is

[gettin_angry]

CBS cares about this when ACORN is undermining our entire political system. Amazing. Maybe the media''s lack of concern is their way of assisting our downfall????

[walter_stoll]

Officer, I don''t feel as though I was speeding - may I go now?

[gettin_angry]

Posted by scytherius:
"My god. If any of our kids tried that one on us we''''d send them to their room for stupidity and then punish them later for lying."

But if kids pretended to love us, we would allow them to get away with redifing the word "is". Is this how it works???

[mavemave]

"I think that you%u2019re always going to ruffle feathers as you do what you believe is in the best interest of the people whom you are serving. In this case I knew that I had to have the right people in the right position at the right time in this cabinet to best serve Alaskans, and Walt Monegan was not the right person at the right time to meet the goals that we had set out in our administration.

"So no, not having done anything wrong, and again very much appreciating being cleared of any legal wrongdoing or unethical activity at all."

This quote clearly illustrates the disconnect between Palin and anybody who asks her a question. She seems not to understand that the ethics ruling was for trying to force Monegan to fire her brother-in-law. From my perspective, a person this focused on her own point of view is a poor choice for potential leader of the country. She tells us to read the report, but if she did read it herself, she must not have understood it.

I''ve seen Palin described elsewhere as scary, and this latest round of quotes and "interviews" is really convincing me that that description is an accurate one. . . .

[gettin_angry]

Posted by libra127:
Yeah - I bet the left is real upset at Bill Clinton too for his perpetual problem with truth and honor. Maybe Sarah just needs to let the left know what a victim they all are and pass around a few handouts then maybe she''ll be loved too.

[gettin_angry]

IN RESPONSE TO - libra127: (Sorry abt the last posting - I didn''t mean to impy that my words were libral127''s but that''s what it looked like).
Yeah - I bet the left is real upset at Bill Clinton too for his perpetual problem with truth and honor. Maybe Sarah just needs to let the left know what a victim they all are and pass around a few handouts then maybe she''''ll be loved too.

[gettin_angry]

Maybe vote fraud should be more of concern. Or maybe how Congress just screwed us out of a trillion dollars and has driven the globe to the brink of economic depression????????

[gettin_angry]

I would be willing to bet that Ken Lay (Enron) or Halliburton or major leauge baseball got exponentially more scrutiny by the media than has the problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the REAL news story that affects us). Maybe because it lacks the necessary POLITICAL EXPEDIANCY?

[brigantine9]

If you think CBS is bad about deleting comments try FOX news you will never see your comment published if you say anything negative about McCain

[burfnyc]

Aside from her being delusional, it''s obvious this woman has no handle on truth.
And that''s what bugs me, about so many of these self-proclaimed *moral* types. They''re all hypocritical liars.
In her mind, findings that she abused power & broke ethics Statutes, exonerates her.
So much for *morality.*

[mbc90210]

Was she reading the same report everyone is reading?

She also attacked Barack on a comment he made in hoping he hoped his daughters would not get pregnant as teenagers. Referencing Obama%u2019s comments that he wouldn%u2019t want one of his daughters to have an unwanted pregnancy and be %u201Cpunished with a baby,%u201D Palin said %u201Cit''s about time we called him on it.%u201D ..........Tell me what parent would want their teenage daughter to get pregnant? Teenage pregnancy is a problem, it is not their intent to get pregnant. Sarah failed by not educating her daughter on birth control, but Sarah had to get married herself. Then she sold out her daughter by covering her with a baby blanket and then making her hold the baby, this was the first time the country had seen Palin and her family, a couple days later she told America, and poor Bristol and her unborn child were exploited by every form of media and jounalism. God Bless her! ....What is it exactly that she wants to do? Obama made a statement that he would not want one of his daughters to have a baby and be punished by a baby. Teenagers are not equiped to be mothers, or having the responsibilty of a child. Many teens look at the child and do not understand "why me"., and in a sense the baby is a punishment because they are supposed to be happy, trying hard in school, go to homecomings and prom, etc. Sarah and Todd neglected their duties, will she neglect her duties as VP? God help us if they win.

[thotman]

If she broke laws dont you think the dems would be screaming for her to be prosecuted...the fact is they said she BROKE NO LAWS...the "abuse of her power" is a subjective claim. Anyone who has read the report understands that there were no laws broken.

[fourrealrobi]

As an Obama supporter, can someone please tell me how McCain beat out the other Republicans candidates especially Romney and Huckabee? This man and his sidekick have literally embarassed us in front of the World. I like Obama, however, I look at all the candidates and I may have voted for a Republican if they made sense.

The Iraqi government stated that Obama did NOT try to reach an agreement with them. This was a response to Palin''s allegations about Obama. We may be divided at home, but as far as the rest of the World, the United States is looking like a joke!

[usnero]

I feel bad for posting this.

I don''t want to see this election taken over by smears and scandals. Voters must pick the candidate with the best policies.

But,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVm2pLfl7F4&feature=user

[callenlee]

Yes LOOK because dropping bombs and threatning anyone we don''t understand or like has done so much for American prestige and respect in the world, so much for our safety, and so much to find those responsible for 9/11. I laugh so hard I cry everytime I here some Repub denounce what Russia did in Georgia because big countries shouldn''t invade small countries like that (and like...oh, I don''t know...IRAQ)

[albertw40]

Palin ran the Alaska state government like it was her high school student council. She appointed her high school buddies to offices they weren''t qualified for, i.e. Secretary of Agriculture, and she whacked anyone she didn''t like. Was it illegal or did it really matter? Probably not in Alaska, but in the office of the President of the United States, we need a whole lot better. As we face the worst economic meltdown since the depression, two wars, a nuclear Iran and so much more, we need a VP with real qualifications. If she is elected VP, , Palin will be a heartbeat away from the oval office. To me, the greatest tragedy of this whole election is that John McCain passed over so many truly qualified GOP women to choose Sara Palin.

[usnero]

I feel bad for posting this.

I don''t want to see this election taken over by smears and scandals. Voters must pick the candidate with the best policies.

But,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVm2pLfl7F4&feature=user

[albertw40]

Palin ran the Alaska state government like it was her high school student council. She appointed her high school buddies to offices they weren''t qualified for, i.e. Secretary of Agriculture, and she whacked anyone she didn''t like. Was it illegal or did it really matter? Probably not in Alaska, but in the office of the President of the United States, we need a whole lot better. As we face the worst economic meltdown since the depression, two wars, a nuclear Iran and so much more, we need a VP with real qualifications. If she is elected VP, , Palin will be a heartbeat away from the oval office. To me, the greatest tragedy of this whole election is that John McCain passed over so many truly qualified GOP women to choose Sara Palin.

[vhammon]

The title of this report should be, "Palin contradicts report on ethics violation," not a giant boldfaced repetition of her position. An unfounded statement by a politician should never get prominent display as a title; it misleads readers who are skimming through the news.

[westtexas8]

just wondering if thsi comment will be deleted.
Palin is not fit to serve as VP

[wherenextnow]

If she broke laws don''t you think the dems would be screaming for her to be prosecuted...the fact is they said she BROKE NO LAWS...the "abuse of her power" is a subjective claim. Anyone who has read the report understands that there were no laws broken.

Posted by thotman at 04:31 PM : Oct 12, 2008
------

Uh, sorry, but the report says she CLEARLY broke the ethics law. That''s a law. She broke it.

End of the RINO Denial. She''s Corrupt. And she''ll face Jesus for it.

[renton98]

Wrongdoing perhaps, but Palin''s abuse of power is but one reason why she should not be elected VP. Abuse, abuse and abuse. I thought that was why you wanted to go to Washington Palin?

[avembe]

Probe cleared me of wrongdoing and BTW, Bristol never got pregnant!!!!!!!

[fourrealrobi]

It''s not about Gov. Palin breaking the laws, the committee knew that before they started the investigation and with the evidence they had. The questions were did she abused her power and did she break any unethical codes. I do believe if she turned over her e-mails, she would have been found guilty.

Gov. Palin did both and Obama will not discuss this issue because he knows the American people is able to read and come up with their own conclusion about McCain/Palin. No drama Obama is the total opposite of the TWO QUEENS on the Republican ticket.

JOHN MCCAIN WILL REALLY BE THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO THE WHITE HOUSE IF HE WINS!!!!

[ramos937]

Yes, I have read the report carefully. The report made some points very clear:

1. Palin was completely within her rights to fire Monegan and she did this in a legal and proper manner.

2. However, she did abuse her office and state officials and thereby violated the Alaska Ethics Law - a misdemeor (or civil violation). However, the only State body that can now take action on this is the State ethics board which answers to her. So, further action from that board is not likely.

3. There is one legal recourse. Monegan and Wooten can file a civil suit in Alaska citing this report. If they get a good lawyer, Palin will be on the hook for millions eventually. It could also be that the Palins would have to bear their legal costs here if the Alaska legislature fails to appropriate funds for her defense.

4. Should she be sued, Palin would be busy with being a wife, a mother, Govenor of Alaska and campaigning for VP. Good luck.

I also have one more question. Todd Palin is supposed to be an employee of an Akaskan gas company and also be a commercial fisherman. He also races dogs particurly in the annual Iron Man Dog Race. But, from the investigator''s report, he is a fixture in the Govenor''s Office.

Question: When does her work for the oil service company?

[usnero]

I feel bad for posting this.

I don''t want to see this election taken over by smears and scandals. Voters must pick the candidate with the best policies.

But,

a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVm2pLfl7F4&feature=user" McCain opposes Internet Neutrality /a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVm2pLfl7F4&feature=user

[trglazier]

Huh???

She''s a GW Bush clone. When faced with facts contrary to her beliefs, she acts as though there are no other facts but her own. As if the country is going to say "oh, I guess I read it wrong since Sarah says it isn''t so." What a joke.
America is smarter than the McCain/Palin political gimmicks.

[ramos937]

Sorry, the report was plain. She did properly fire Monegan but she also violated the Alaska Ethics Act - a civil breech.

[tfheringer]

We get all up in arms about whether Palin was properly vetted to be VP, but take a very low look at the important candidate. Are both McCain and Obama any better qualified? No in fact Obama is one of the poorest qualified candidates for President ever. Do not look at his education and professional background, these are impeccable, but instead look at his in ability to come clean with the truth. I would have had less trouble with him ethically if he had stood by his pastor no mater what, but to opt out because it looked bad makes him look like the opportunist that he is. Personally I think Palin is better qualified then either of the yokels who the Democrats chose.

[harbinger09]

You really can''t blame Palin for thinking she has been cleared of any wrongdoing or breaking any ethics law--the poor girl lies even to herself and is not the sharpest knife in the drawer--as a matter of fact, Palin''s inherent stupidity means once the report got past the 8th page, she could neither comprehend it nor have the patience to read it.

"Sure, I''ve read all the comments in the reports about me and my behavior"

Q: ''Can you cite any of them and what they mean?

Sarah: "Sure, there were lots of them, and ..all of them..meant that all of them said..ya know, that I betcha they said I was cleared, ya know--of any wrong doing whatsoever."

Q "But the report also said you broke the State ethics law and abused your power''

Sarah: " Nah, nah, ya gotta read it, it said I was totally innocent and did nothing wrong. I believe it was on page 8 and then again on page 496 it clearly states I have a right to do anything I want and besides it was a partisan attack"

Q: But with 8 Republicans and 4 Dems on the committee and the report only had 263 pages...

Sarah: "that''s it, gotta go, totally innocent ya know--Obama tried to get me and he failed--but he and Ayers--that''s a different story--that''s what we really should all think about, ya know...bye"

[usnero]

Don''t vote based on sensationalist news stories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVm2p
Lfl7F4&feature=user

Copy and paste this link for a summary of each candidate''s take on "Network Neutrality," or whether or not an Internet provider can be sponsored by certain websites and force its users to pay more to see other websites (basically turning the Internet into cable television).

[gaiaschild-2009]

the body language people used the term sociopathic and this is why. there''s that kind of ease of self-serving denial that is so lacking in personal conscience and genuine empathy that it probably doesn''t even register on a lie detector. chilling reflection of the national character, this one is. also.

[fourrealrobi]

BagdadsHere5

Don''t start up your drama about Obama. You were on yesterday and you need to stop. AS I SAID OBAMA IS NOT A MUSLIM AND IF HE WAS, ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HIS RELIGION.

AS FAR AS AYERS: OBAMA CAN BE HIS BEST FRIEND, IF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CONSIDERS HIM SAFE WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE. THE GOP IS FULL OF THE KKK AND LAST TIME I CHECK THEY MURDERED THOUSANDS OF BLACKS AND QUESTION IS WHO WERE THEIR FRIENDS. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT A POLITICAN OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY WAS NOT FRIEND OF THOSE DOMESTIC TERRORIST. NOW YOU WANT TO HAVE A CONSCIOUS!!!

ACORN ISSUE: BUSH STOLE THE ELECTION AND NOW YOU CARE ABOUT VOTER FRAUD!!! HOW CONVENIENT??? ALSO IN OHIO DURING BUSH/KERRY ELECTION, THERE WAS VOTER FRAUD. SO PLEASE THE FIX THAT PROBLEM, I SUGGEST ALL VOTERS BRING THEIR IDENTIFICATION!!!

[south301]

Quoted from Anchorage Daily News


"KTUU-Channel 2: Walt Monegan was called "rogue." How do you feel about that?

Palin: Rogue isn''t a negative term when you consider that in a cabinet you need a team effort going forward with a governor''s agenda. And our agenda has been to find efficiencies in every department and make sure that we are serving the people of Alaska to the best of our ability given the resources that we have. And remember I fought very hard to increase funding for state troopers so that we could fill positions there and goals not being met that included not being able to recruit and retain all the state troopers that I wanted to best serve Alaska. That could be characterized I think as a cabinet member who -- it''s not a negative term I think -- being rogue in terms of not meeting those goals."

[harbinger09]

Personally I think Palin is better qualified then either of the yokels who the Democrats chose.

Posted by tfheringer at 04:40 PM : Oct 12, 2008


and this last remark is why only the 25% of the electorate who already support McCain will take your comments seriously or even consider them. LOL

[usnero]

Barack Obama has a secret Belgian lover.

I can''t figure out if she''s smart or not.

Why don''t you decide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=rVm2p
Lfl7F4&feature=user

[darrren12000]

Um - if the state constitution permits something how can a statute forbid it? The conclusion of the panel is confusing when it says she fired him within her constitutional authority and was lawful but that she still broke the law. And CBS and all of the other outlets have not explored this ambiguity because they want to smear Palin. I''m a Democrat - and a lawyer - and I smell a rat here.

[edsweb7]

This is a person that is not concious of her surroundings. The Debate with Sen. Joe Biden Showed that. ( She and McCain BOTH use the Debate process as an extended Commercial, bilowing out junkets of "MeMe''s" and sound bites that are soon proven as lies.

But the worst part about all of this is that the Republicans don''t have enough integrety to say " That''s enough, Sarah. You''ve embarrassed our party and America too much." They can not and will not allow their EGO''s to face the facts EVEN IF IT WOULD HELP AMERICA. Sad, Sad, Sad people, they are.

The Republican response for the last 15 years is; " If I don''t like things, I''ll just not see them and blame everybody for not seeing it MY way."

America will never forget what that party has done to this country since NIXON the crook.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

E.

[nursehope]

Let''s get it straight BagdadsHere5,
According to the report Palin broke the ethics law. Obama is not Muslim. Obama has no link with ACCORN that is illegal. However Palin did violate an ethics law. Obama has not been accused of violating any law, he is not under investigation. Why is reality so hard to see? I can understand supporting someone but the support for Palin has become co-dependent. If you want to support her write to her or call her and tell her get some help!

[republic1776]

Tens of Million spent by Obama suck face attorneys and the State of Alaska this is the best they could do!

[geneonlbk]

Appearently breaking a law by any other name is not breaking a law for Palin. I bet she feels that her belief in her god raises her above "Violating the Public Trust" She sounds just like Chaney.

[norepubs]

PALIN is the ''''GREATEST!''''



George W Bu$h was HOLDING HANDS with a Saudi terrorist.
I hope that it was ''good'' for both of them....

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


MEDIA: Why can''''t the MEDIA do a story on Obama''''s true relationship with Tony Rezko. The American Voters need to know.

THANKS.

Posted by Blondshag at 03:34 PM

[daffy64]

Palin said she''s happy the report affirmed her right to fire Monegan. But she said she still doesn''t think she abused her power like the report says she did. In fact, she said she considered herself vindicated.

----

Huh?

[harbinger09]

Hey stupid, you must decide. First you say she acted legally then you say she acted illegally. Whats gonna be?

Posted by BagdadsHere5 at 04:44 PM : Oct 12, 2008


It can be both, super stupid. She can not have met the standards of a criminal violation--which is punishable through the courts--but she still could be in violation of state ethics laws which are first punishable in the legislature and can only be pursued as criminal cases at the discretion of the legislative body.

Just like illegal immigration. It is not a violation of criminal law (until they commit fraud with fake ID) it is a violation of civil law and so is up to each state and the government if they want to pursue criminal charges or not--which why you probably have a large illegal population where you live and the government will do little about it--they don''t have to, if they don''t want to.

but it does not make illegal immigration less wrong or stop it from being illegal and it what Palin did does not make it less wrong or stop it from being a violation of ethics laws.

[fourrealrobi]

MAYBE PALIN SHOULD HAVE COOPERATED WITH THE COMMITTEE AND TURN OVER HER E-MAILS, SHE MAY NOT LOOK SO GUILTY. I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT HER SITUATION, SHE HAS PUT WOMEN BACK 20 YEARS. THE REPUBLICAN SENATE (WOMAN)FROM TEXAS HAS MORE CLASS AND KNOWLEDGE THEN PALIN WOULD EVER HAVE!!! I''M A DEMOCRAT AND WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR ROMNEY OR HUCKABEE, BECAUSE AT LEAST THEY MADE SENSE!!!DUMB AND DUMBER (MCCAIN/PALIN)