Troopergate Report: Full Text

A bipartisan committee of Alaska legislators voted 12-0 on Friday to release a report stating that Gov. Sarah Palin violated state ethics law "by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper."

Here are the key findings, written by Stephen Branchflower, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel; the complete report is embedded below.

Finding One

For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39/52/110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides

The legislature reaffirms that every public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.

Finding Two

I find that, although Walt Monegan's refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooter was not the sole reason he was fired by Governor Sarah Palin, it was likely a contributing factor to his termination as Commissioner of Public Safety. In spite of that, Governor Palin's firing of Commissioner Monegan was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statutory authority to hire and fire executive branch department heads.

Finding Three

Story continues below

advertisement

Harbor Adjustment Service of Anchorage, and its owner Ms. Murleen Wilkes, handled Trooper Michael Wooten's workers' compensation claim properly and in the normal course of business like any other claim process by Harbor Adjustment Service and Ms. Wilkes. Further, Trooper Wooten received all the workers' compensation benefits to which he was entitled.

Finding Four

The Attorney General's office has failed to substantially comply with my August 6, 2008 written request to Governor Sarah Palin for information about the case in the form of emails.

The full report:

DOWNLOAD - Get more Legal Forms

Comments

[jlb4]

Thank you for posting the full text of the report. It helps give lie to Palin's assertion that the media are biased about her. I'm perfectly qualified to read the report and reach my own conclusions. Every voter is.

[CherScoled]

I must, respectfully disagree with the Judge’s conclusion about the ethics violation. Under “Conclusion” on Page 65, he states “As explained above, the term “benefit” is very broadly defined, and includes anything that is to the person’s advantage or personal self-interest”.

Whereas, on Page 49 of the same ruling, the term “benefit” is CLEARLY defined (the judge’s own words on Page 49!) and is copied from the Ethics Act, AS 39.52.110 (a) “3. The term “benefit” means anything that is to a person’s advantage or self-interest, or from which a person profits, regardless of the financial gain, including any dividend, pension, salary, acquisition, agreement to purchase, transfer of money, deposit, loan or loan guarantee, promise to pay, grant, contract, etc

However, no where is it determined what it is believed that Sarah Palin would benefit from by having her former brother-in-law fired. If we expand the definition of the above wording “personal self-interest” to mean “personal interest”, which expands the definition to include immediate family – perhaps we can stretch and say that Sarah Palin’s sister Molly would want her ex-husband fired – I guess as a vendetta? Really?

[EvasDaddy]

Does the term "grasping at straws" have any personal meaning to you?

[janmarbol]

Looks like these Christians should practice what they preach, no?

[anghiari]

Anybody who has ever worked for an elected official knows the chronology and escalation of the Governor's demands are more than likely true. It happens all the time with newly elected idiots, who have no clue what's going on, but mistakenly think their power will smash all resistance. The fact, that Moneghan, an appointee, didn't kowtow to her requests is clear. And funnily, if Moneghan hadn't been so loyal and had not reminded her of "discoverable conversations" he could have nailed her and many of her staff by just letting them talk. And, what does he get for being an informed and smart employee? Fired. I suspect that discoverable conversations directive by Moneghan also initiated the Governor using a public email system for her most personal information to avoid "discoverable emails" within the state system. Thus allowing a young bank to hack into it. Amateurs, Amateurs, Amateurs. All anybody with a thought in their head has to do is really look at what is probably the tip of the iceberg for this woman. Todd Palin spends 50% of his time in the Governor's office? Who elected this guy? Sounds like they were using the state of Alaska as their personal little play thing...Bravo to Moneghan!

[countrylast]

Country First, huh? It looks like Palin put herself first in Alaska. Hypocrisy at its best; I think I'll vote for That One!

[crease]

SURPRISE, SURPRISE., and these guys want to reform Wash., what a crock.McPalin couldn`t reform themselves muchless a Washington full of cronies and corruoption.

[SimJack]

Here's Sarah Palin:
The DSM-IV lists ten personality disorders, grouped into three clusters.
From Cluster A (odd or eccentric disorders) she exhibits traits associated with:
1. Paranoid personality disorder: characterized by irrational suspicions and mistrust of others

and from Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders) she exhibits traits associated with:
1. Antisocial personality disorder: "pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others."
2. Borderline personality disorder: extreme "black and white" thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior
3. Histrionic personality disorder: "pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriate sexual seductiveness and shallow or exaggerated emotions
4. Narcissistic personality disorder: "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy"

and here's John McCain: he expresses 6 out of 7 criteria. those being #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Specifically, the dissocial personality disorder is described by the World Health Organization by the following criteria:

1. Callous unconcern for the feelings of others and lack of the capacity for empathy.
2. Gross and persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, rules, and obligations.
3. Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships.
4. Very low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including violence.
5. Incapacity to experience guilt and to profit from experience, particularly punishment.
6. Marked proneness to blame others or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behavior bringing the subject into conflict.
7. Persistent irritability.

They make such a nice pair, don't they?

[DonKrieger]

Seriously, could you post the same kind of analysis about John McCain and PTSD?

Don

[SimJack]

Here it is. Determining/grading PTSD or any psychological disorder requires clinically trained medical specialists administer evaluations for accurate diagnosis. Typically several criteria need to be met, not just one or two.

from Wiki: The diagnostic criteria for PTSD, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (Text Revision) (DSM-IV-TR), may be summarized as:[1]

A. Exposure to a traumatic event
B. Persistent reexperience (e.g. flashbacks, nightmares)
C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma (e.g. inability to talk about things even related to the experience. Avoidance of things and discussions that trigger flashbacks and reexperiencing symptoms. Fear of losing control.)
D. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (e.g. difficulty falling or staying asleep, anger and hypervigilance)
E. Duration of symptoms more than 1 month
F. Significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g. problems with work and relationships.)

Important notes at Wiki/DSM-IV. Briefly, criterion A (the "stressor") consists of two parts, both must apply for a diagnosis of PTSD. A1 requires that "the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others." A2 requires that "the person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror." Various scales exist to measure the severity and frequency of PTSD symptoms.

[BIG JOHN]

PALIN JUST GAVE A SPEECH IN PHILY. AND SAID " THAT SHE AND MCCAIN WERE TO D.C. TO STOP THE ABUSE OF POWER GOING ON THERE. AT THE SAME TIME SHE SAID THIS MSNBC FLASHED ACCROSS IT'S TICKER PALIN ABUSED HER POWER IN TROOPERGATE PROBE.

WITH THAT SAID THE MSM IS GLANCING OVER THIS AS IF SHE DID NOTHING WRONG. QUESTION, IF THIS HAD BEEN OBAMA WHO WAS FOUND GUILITY OF ABUSE OF POWER WHAT WOULD THE MSM SAY ABOUT OBAMA.

FOX NEWS WOULD BE CALLING FOR OBAMA TO DROP OUT OF THE RACE. SO I'LL HELP THEM PALIN SHOULD DROP OUT OF THE RACE........

[nadiks]

I think America should be very afraid of this woman...if she ever becomes VP.
She said the VP should have more powers in her debate with Biden, she uses her office to put her friends in govt positions, she abuses her power, and woe to anyone who goes against her or her family She incites hatred at her rallies.Her husband belonged to a group who wanted secede from America, or associated with a group Lies looking straight at the camera. Is stupid (interviews) Is this woman fit to be anywhere near the White house. In Europe a woman like this would not get anywhere close to being the Leader of a country. How can some Americans even think of voting for this vituperative woman.She is like a dangerous snake what part of Christian virtue does she hold? American this time vote using your head not looking at the color of a man's skin. The whole future of America and the rest of the world is at stake.

[OhMyGoodness]

I had hoped that this historic process would prove to the world that Americans are capable of looking beyond race. My 13 year old daughter didn't understand what the big deal was about a black man running for President as she has never felt the affects of racism. Sure she's been taught the politically correct version of the civil rights movement and slavery but to read about racism and to feel it is two totally different things.

I have had to stop watching the goings on in the campaign with my 13 year old daughter when it became clear that she was developing negative thoughts about whites based on what she was hearing about a black man. Never have I had to discuss current race relations with my child. We live in a predominately white suburb and believe it or not she has never felt the affects of racism. For the first time in her life she is questioning friendships. For the first time she's wondering if her white friends see her negatively. I don't like it and I find it disgusting that our children are taking this in from a Presidential campaign

[ZenCrusader]

They should subpoena her emails. JUST LIKE THE BUSH REGIME, the Palin Regime did a majority of " the people's business " on personal email accounts & they both should be hauled into court over that fact alone. WHY isn't Todd Palins membership in the Alaska Independence Party & Sarah Palins attendance and speeches at their convention - why isn't all that out in the major media ? ? ? ?
Now is the time to nail the fascist Moosemuncher on ALL counts. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.

[SeanGardner]

She just like Dick Cheney...

[dlbdpb]

FINALLY, THE REAL SARAH IS REVEALED. What say you now, conservatives?????

[RevSpaminator]

They likely will say that this is a communist plot to fluoridate the water supply and rob us of our precious bodily essence.

[Repub4Obama]

Having been a conservative Republican all my life (until now), I can tell you EXACTLY what they think:

"Good! She abused her power. That's exactly what power is for, and if I had some, I would abuse it too. I hope I have power someday, and I want to make sure that the party that lets this happen is still in charge when I have MINE. She also was smart to come up with enough other reasons to fire the guy and ask about them enough times that it gives the appearance of impartiality. This is exactly what let them ask for the firing of the trooper too.

These people are EXACTLY who I want running the country! If they are sneaky enough to pull off a personal vendetta like this and not get cought, then I want Sarah and Todd in the White House 24x7. I respect their Macchiavellian tactics, and it looks like it actually worked for them."

That's what they are likely thinking. That's a similar line of reasoning I used to vote for Bush.

[thefirehorse]

Hey All, Palin just stated that she and John McCain will balance the budget in their first term. Lets ask her and John McCain how they are going to pull this off with the economy in the state that its in? What are they going to cut to achieve it?

[acslaterson]

Maybe by ending the 100 year war? Or maybe by just kicking the private contractors out of Iraq?

[DeniseD]

How is she going to balance the budget when she left the small town of Wasilla $22 million in debt?

[Richard22]

If it weren't so dangerous and destructive, the McCain-Palin campaign would be quite simply an embarrassment.

They are now trying to put lipstick on a guilty verdict.

It won't work. Palin abused power, violated the public trust and compromised her own employees.

So much for her reform credentials.

[bbrecht]

Does any of this sound like good fodder for a Jerry Springer Show???

[dbm1966]

Maybe the McCain Palin ticket should change its slogan: "Elect NixonAgnew!" For God's sake, a senator that's already been censured and a Governor found to engage in unethical conduct by abusing her powers. Do the dolts at the McCain rallies (you know, the ones who call Obama an "Arab" or "alien" or call for "bombing" him) realize what sleazebags they're supporting? Unfortunately, I believe the answer is no. McCain has the mentally challanged vote locked up at this point.