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Palin Facing Alaska Ethics Investigation

State probes claim that Mac pick had former in-law canned from job

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2008 12:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain’s running mate comes to the national campaign embroiled in a scandal back home, Talking Points Memo reports. Alaska’s legislative council has appointed a special commission to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin, who’s accused of pressuring the state’s department of public safety to fire her former brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten—who is battling Palin’s sister in a messy custody suit.

Palin denies the charges but has admitted that someone in her administration played a role in “Wooten-gate.” She’s distanced herself from the staffer, but phone recordings suggest he was acting with her consent. “This is a governor who was almost impervious to error,” a Democratic state senator tells the Wall Street Journal. “Now she could face impeachment, in a worst-case scenario.”

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd wave as she is introduced as Republican John McCain's running mate today in Dayton, Ohio.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd wave as she is introduced as Republican John McCain's running mate today in Dayton, Ohio.   (AP Photo)
John McCain has named first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his pick for vice president.
John McCain has named first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his pick for vice president.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Alaska's state legislature voted to hire an independent investigator to see whether Ms. Palin abused her office by trying to get her former brother-in-law fired from his job as a state trooper.
Alaska's state legislature voted to hire an independent investigator to see whether Ms. Palin abused her office by trying to get her former brother-in-law fired from his job as a state trooper.   (AP Photo/Chris Miller, File)
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16,  right, and Piper, 5, front stand as the colors are retired at the end of an inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16, right, and Piper, 5, front stand as the colors are retired at the end of an inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo, file)
Republican presidential candidate John McCain hugs Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as McCain announces her as his vice-presidential running mate today in Dayton, Ohio.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain hugs Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as McCain announces her as his vice-presidential running mate today in Dayton, Ohio.   (AP Photo)
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