Trying to head off a potentially embarrassing state ethics report on Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, campaign officials released their own report on Thursday that clears her of any wrongdoing.
Senator John McCain’s running mate is the subject of a legislative investigation into whether she abused her power as governor by firing her public safety commissioner. The commissioner, Walter Monegan, says he was dismissed in July for resisting pressure from Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, and numerous top aides to fire state police officer Mike Wooten, Palin’s former brother-in-law.
Lawmakers were expected to release their own findings later yesterday.
Campaign officials for McCain and Palin have yet to see that report — the result of an investigation that began before she was tapped as McCain’s running mate — but said the investigation has falsely portrayed a legitimate policy dispute between a governor and commissioner as something inappropriate.
“The following document will prove Walt Monegan’s dismissal was a result of his insubordination and budgetary clashes with Governor Palin and her administration,” campaign officials wrote. “Trooper Wooten is a separate issue.”
McCain spokesman Taylor Griffin, who distributed the campaign’s report, said it was based on public filings and Todd Palin’s affidavit.
Monegan said on Thursday that he does not know what to expect from the legislative panel’s own report.
“I just hope that the truth is figured out,” Monegan said on Thursday. “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.”
Palin’s critics say 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.
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