Palin Was Warned Over Troopergate

Official said efforts to fire trooper could embarrass governor

(NEWSER) - Todd Palin and other aides were warned by state police officials that their push to have a state trooper fired could come back to haunt them, CNN reports. Deputy commissioner of public safety John Glass told a persistent Palin that the trooper had already been disciplined and "discomfort and embarrassment for the governor" could ensue if he refused to cease and desist. More»

First Dude had 'significant influence' over state politics

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin is back in the headlines with official findings that she abused her power as governor of Alaska—but her husband is the main character in the 300-page tome issued by the state legislature last week, reports AP. Alaska's “First Dude” spent half his time in Palin’s office and had “significant influence” over state affairs, including the firing of a public official that led to the ethics investigation. More»

She says she didn't abuse her power as Alaska governor

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin says she did not abuse her power as governor, despite the findings of an ethics investigation, CNN reports. “If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member,” she said. The report, however, did not fault Palin for firing her public safety commissioner; it criticized her for using her office to try to get her ex-brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. She did not address that issue in brief remarks to reporters. More»

'Obsessed' pair repeatedly contacted commissioner to slam trooper

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin, her husband and officials from the governor's office made dozens of phone calls to Palin's public safety commissioner and his aides denouncing state trooper Mike Wooten, the New York Times reports. Walt Monegan, whose firing Palin claims was unrelated to the matter, says the governor and her husband appeared obsessed with bouncing Palin's former brother-in-law off the force. More»

(NEWSER) - Todd Palin tried to convince several Alaska officials to support firing a trooper who was divorcing his sister-in-law, reports the Anchorage Daily News. But in a sworn statement, he denies interfering with his wife's job as governor and says he played no role in the firing of a safety commissioner who refused to ax the trooper. The governor and commissioner had a history of bad blood, including an erroneous complaint from the official that his wife failed to place their infant in a safety seat, said Palin. More»