Sarah Palin 'unlawfully abused power' in feud with state tooper, report finds [Barf Alert!]

Telegraph.co.uk ^ | 10/11/08 | Philip Sherwell

[melt]

But that feud exploded into the race for the White House after an independent investigator concluded that Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, unlawfully abused her power as Alaska governor to push for her former brother-in-law to be sacked as a state trooper.

The politically-charged finding ensured that the so-called Troopergate controversy dominated political headlines barely three weeks before the Nov 4 presidential election.

The report found that Mrs Palin violated a state ethics law prohibiting public officials from using office for personal benefit - in this case, pursuing her family's grudge against Trooper Mike Wooten following his messy divorce from her sister Molly.

It also highlighted the unusually intense involvement of her husband Todd, a part-Eskimo champion snowmobile racer and self-styled First Dude, in state politics - a role that some critics say amounted to that of a "shadow governor".

Stephen Branchflower, a former prosecutor, was appointed by the Alaskan legislature to investigate Mrs Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner Walter Monegan in the summer.

Mr Monegan said he had come under intense pressure from the governor's husband and aides to dismiss Trooper Wooten, and believed his refusal to do so was the reason for his removal.

Mr Branchflower concluded that Gov Palin acted within her authority in dismissing Mr Monegan, who she said had disagreed with her on the budget. But the investigator also said that the Wooten stand-off was "likely a contributory factor".

[bigbob]

More reason that reporters should learn to read before they begin to write.

Nothing but crap.

[Cheetahcat]

“after an independent investigator concluded that Sarah Palin”

I got that far and called Major BS on this tripe!

[IMissPresidentReagan]

Just curious...but is there a lawful way to abuse power? (Other than being a Democrat of course)

[redheadtoo]

When I listen to the news teasers on the radio, I notice that they always mention the messy divorce that Palin’s sister was involved in. They never mention the fact that this state trooper, an officer of the law, admits that he tasered his step son. Now maybe I'm some sort of fanatic, but in my opinion a police officer who tasers his step son should not only be fired but sent to prison.

[Tzimisce]

So they’re upset that a governor fired someone who worked for her a couple of years ago?

I wish the media was half as concerned about ACORN frauds, Obama’s missing birth certificate, “Truth” Squads, Obama lawyers taking action against people who dare speak the truth about Obama.....

[kcvl]

Philip Sherwell is a LIAR!

[TsonicTsunami08]

Nothing unlawful about it.

[LottieDah]

Anyone who does not put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance has no business being President of the United States of America. STOP OBAMA/BIDEN!

[redheadtoo]

I'm afraid I don't understand your reply. Do you mean there is nothing unlawful about the news teasers? If that's the case I agree. It's not unlawful but it is unethical.

But if you mean the act of tasering someone then I have to disagree. It is assault, a felony for which you can be sentenced to years in the state penitentiary.