AP NewsBreak: Palin implicated in ethics probe

[Americanhero1]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An independent investigator has found evidence that Gov. Sarah Palin may have violated ethics laws by trading on her position in seeking money for legal fees, in the latest legal distraction for the former vice presidential candidate as she prepares to leave office this week.

The report obtained by The Associated Press says Palin is securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust, set up by supporters.

An investigator for the state Personnel Board says in his July 14 report that there is probable cause to believe Palin used or attempted to use her official position for personal gain because she authorized the creation of the trust as the "official" legal defense fund.

The practical effect of the ruling on Palin will be more financial than anything else. The report recommends that Palin refuse to accept payment from the defense fund, and that the complaint be resolved without a formal hearing before the board.

The fund aims to help Palin pay off debts stemming from multiple ethics complaints against her, most of which have been dismissed. Palin says she owes more than $500,000 in legal fees, and she cited the mounting toll of the ethics probes as one of the reasons she is leaving office.

The investigator, Thomas Daniel, sided with Palin in her frustration with having to defend herself against a barrage of ethics complaints. He suggested that Alaska lawmakers may need to create a law that reimburses public officials for legal expenses to defend complaints that end up being unfounded.

Palin posted an entry on Twitter in which she said the "matter is still pending."

"There is no final report. The Investigator is still confidentially reviewing this matter. It appears suspect that in the final days of the Governor's term, someone would again violate the law and announce a supposed conclusion before it is reached," her spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

But Daniel said his report was final.

Palin's friends and supporters created the Alaska Fund Trust in April, limiting donations to $150 per person. Organizers declined to say how much it has raised, and had hoped to raise about $500,000. A Webathon last month brought in about $130,000 in pledges.

In his report, Daniel said his interpretation of the ethics act is consistent with common sense.

An ordinary citizen facing legal charges is not likely to be able to generate donations to a legal defense fund, he wrote. "In contrast, Governor Palin is able to generate donations because of the fact that she is a public official and a public figure. Were it not for the fact that she is governor and a national political figure, it is unlikely that many citizens would donate money to her legal defense fund."

The ethics complaint was filed by Eagle River resident Kim Chatman shortly after the fund was created, alleging Palin was misusing her official position and accepting improper gifts.

"It's an absolute shame that she would continue to keep the Alaska Fund Trust Web site up and running," Chatman told the AP.

At least 19 ethics complaints have been filed against Palin, most of them after she was named the running mate for GOP presidential candidate John McCain. Most of those have been dismissed, and Palin's office usually sends a news release with the announcement.

The multiple ethics complaints include an investigation by state lawmakers over Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner in the so-called Troopergate scandal.

John Coale, a Washington lawyer who helped set up the fund, called the probable cause finding "crazy," adding that if upheld, it would mean that no governor could ever defend themselves against frivolous ethics complaints.

"If this complaint is true, there's no way to defend yourself" as governor, Coale said. "Anybody can keep filing ethics complaints and drive someone out of office even if you're a nut."

Coale said that unlike other states, Alaska's governor has no legal counsel's office to defend the governor from allegations brought against the governor in her official capacity.

Coale said he recommended creation of the legal defense fund, a common practice in Washington. The Web site for the Palin fund cites similar accounts created for Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and other prominent politicians.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090721/ap_on_re_us/us_palin_ethics_complaint

[RanterMaximus]

Though this comes off as a political witch hunt, this is bad news for her. 

[eb22]

Yet another attempt by the left to discredit Sarah Palin.    They want her out of the picture.    They know that Sarah Palin has a multitude of strong supporters.     And that she is one of the very few people who potentially stands in the way of the liberals carrying out their agenda  ( which is hideous ).       

[arksis]

Unfreakingbelieveable!  Seems only Washington can get away with something like this, but let Sarah Palin do it, and it's a moral issue? These people make me sick! 

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

Now that she has resigned, the sharks can really smell her blood. Trust me, she would be in a MUCH stronger position if she were still governor and was fighting everybody tooth and nail.

[arksis]

Now that she has resigned, the sharks can really smell her blood. Trust me, she would be in a MUCH stronger position if she were still governor and was fighting everybody tooth and nail.

I think you are right about that. So far, she hasn't come forward to defend herself like all the other complaints. I'm hoping the reason is because she will make a public statement and shock everyone into showing how truthful SHE is and how vindictive the others are. I would love to see her open everyone's eyes and they all rally around her.

[Debbie Shafer]

The evil will not rest until the Innocent are Destroyed!

[MasterWolf1]

She can handle it, they are so terrified of her. Gives me more reason to support her. They are wasting their time.

[Sentinel For Truth]

Regardless of what is discovered in this ethics "probe" (they make it sound like a colonoscopy) Sarah Palin is doomed politically as a presidential candidate, as she was well before this and before she resigned as governor of Alaska.  She'll be a political commentator on Faux News six months from now when she's hawking her book.

[arksis]

Regardless of what is discovered in this ethics "probe" (they make it sound like a colonoscopy) Sarah Palin is doomed politically as a presidential candidate, as she was well before this and before she resigned as governor of Alaska.  She'll be a political commentator on Faux News six months from now when she's hawking her book.

I really don't see this happening, don't ask me why, just a feeling, because I feel she is MUCH bigger and more powerful than a political commentator or out there hawking her books.

[cjd]

Regardless of what is discovered in this ethics "probe" (they make it sound like a colonoscopy) Sarah Palin is doomed politically as a presidential candidate, as she was well before this and before she resigned as governor of Alaska.  She'll be a political commentator on Faux News six months from now when she's hawking her book.

I really don't see this happening, don't ask me why, just a feeling, because I feel she is MUCH bigger and more powerful than a political commentator or out there hawking her books.

I agree arksis. While its true that all this is taking its toll on her if she manages to keep her head above water when all is said and done she may still have a shot a bigger things. My fear is that the liberal left is not going to let up and keep digging until the uproot a small issue that will stick. All politicians have something in their past that can be made to look controversial  with the right handling. 2012 is a long way off and a great many things good or bad can happen before then.

[arksis]

Regardless of what is discovered in this ethics "probe" (they make it sound like a colonoscopy) Sarah Palin is doomed politically as a presidential candidate, as she was well before this and before she resigned as governor of Alaska.  She'll be a political commentator on Faux News six months from now when she's hawking her book.

I really don't see this happening, don't ask me why, just a feeling, because I feel she is MUCH bigger and more powerful than a political commentator or out there hawking her books.

I agree arksis. While its true that all this is taking its toll on her if she manages to keep her head above water when all is said and done she may still have a shot a bigger things. My fear is that the liberal left is not going to let up and keep digging until the uproot a small issue that will stick. All politicians have something in their past that can be made to look controversial  with the right handling. 2012 is a long way off and a great many things good or bad can happen before then.

you are right about the liberal bassturds not letting up. All we can hope for, is when she is ready to talk, she gives them both barrels and shocks the hell out of everyone!