Sarah Palin Abused Powers as Governor
Palin Violates State Ethics Laws, Investigators Find
Concluding an ongoing investigation of Governor Sarah Palin commonly referred to as Troopergate, state investigators released a 263-page report stating that she did indeed violate state ethics laws by attempting to get her brother-in-law fired from the State Troopers. The report found that Governor Palin "knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda."
Why Did She Do It?
It was found that Governor Palin persisted in her attempts to pressure Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to have State Trooper Mike Wooten fired from the state police because Wooten was in the middle of an acrimonious divorce and child custody battle with Palin’s sister. When Monegan refused to fire Wooten, Palin pressured subordinates to fire Monegan himself.
The investigative report states that her efforts to have Wooten fired broke a state ethics law. Public officials are not allowed to place their personal interests above that of official duties. The report also states that Todd Palin, the husband of Sarah Palin, frequently used the governor’s office to aid in pressuring for Wooten’s removal. However, since Mr. Palin is not a state employee, he is not subject to state investigation.
Palin Defends Herself to the Nation
Although the Legislative Council investigating the governor was bipartisan, Palin and her campaign are now firing back, accusing them of actively supporting the Democratic Presidential nominee, Barack Obama. Palin is asserting that the Ethics Act violations clause can only be contended in cases of financial motive, which was not found to occur in this case. Palin was within her rights to fire Monegan, even without just cause.
Palin admitted in August, prior to becoming the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, that her advisers contacted Public Safety officials nearly thirty times regarding Wooten. After her nomination, the investigation was largely portrayed as a smear tactic on the part of Barack Obama.
Walt Monegan, who was fired in July, said that he feels "relieved" about the findings and comforted that his opinions were understood and shared by the Legislative Council.
Consequences of Ethics Violation
While Governor Palin did not necessarily do anything illegal, this report has been released at an already shaky time for the GOP. Republican Presidential Nominee John Mccain has been slipping in the polls in the past few weeks. Barack Obama has made significant gains in swing states.
Palin runs the risk of losing the vote of the "undecideds," and her abuse of power may not be viewed lightly by those struggling to hold onto jobs as the unemployment rate reaches its highest percentage in years. For a woman who is a "heartbeat away" from the presidency, it does not fair well that she used her power to aggressively pursue a personal agenda. Some may wonder, as President or Vice President, would she do the same? Is she part of the old Washington image of corruption and greed? That is left for voters to decide.
Palin and Wooten
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