Office Records Contradict Palin's Troopergate Claims

Gov. Sarah Palin's office actually approved a trip to Washington that her lawyers have been offering as evidence of the "rogue mentality" for which her public safety chief was fired, reports ABC News. Documents show that Palin’s chief of staff signed off on Walt Monegan's trip "to attend meeting with Sen. Murkowski"—a trip Palin says was an unsanctioned lobbying effort to fund a sexual violence prevention program, and her lawyer described as the "last straw" that led to his firing.

A Palin aide tells ABC the travel was approved before the purpose of the trip was known. "When you receive permission to travel, it does not mean that you receive blanket authorization to discuss or do whatever you would like on that trip," he said. Monegan has confirmed that the trip was to seek funding for the program, and suggested there had been a breakdown of communication among Palin's staff.