Did Looming Building Scandal Spur Palin to Quit?

Sudden announcement puts Palins' ties to building firm in the spotlight
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 4, 2009 9:06 AM CDT
Did Looming Building Scandal Spur Palin to Quit?
Todd Palin says "a few buddies" helped him build this home in Wasilla, although it is rumored that Spenard Building Supplies built it in return for receiving state contracts.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

With the search on for budding scandals that might have prompted Sarah Palin's sudden resignation, her ties to a building company seem the likeliest prospect, writes Max Blumenthal at the Daily Beast. Rumors are flying in Alaska that investigators have seized paperwork to look for evidence that Spenard Building Supplies received juicy contracts in return for building the Palins' lakeside home just before her campaign for governor began, Blumenthal writes.

Palin awarded the firm a $13 million contract to build a sport complex in the town just before she left City Hall, Blumenthal notes, and blocked an initiative requiring building permits to be publicly filed. Todd Palin says "a few buddies" helped him build the house, Blumenthal notes, but records show that SBS, sponsor of his snowmobiling team, supplied the materials. 
(More Spenard Builders Supply stories.)

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