Palin Files Late Disclosure For Free 2007 Trips

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin has added to her financial disclosure forms two free trips that she took nearly two years ago but failed to report. Palin, who was Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate, made the disclosures last month, but after Election Day when she and McCain lost to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The trips were first revealed in a story by The Associated Press in October.

The free trips were taken in April and May of 2007 and should have been reported within 30 days under state ethics law. The Nov. 17 disclosure forms note that the reports were "not filed timely due to administrative error."

Bill McAllister, the governor's spokesman, said this week that the mistakes were made by travel support staff. He said he could not explain the timing of when and how they were caught, but that it was irrelevant because the error was corrected.

Palin, who has criticized state lawmakers for gifts they take, is not facing any sanctions for the late filings, according to Linda Perez, state administrative director. Perez said she was alerted to the matter by McCain's presidential campaign before the Oct. 14 AP story.

"It wasn't necessarily the governor's oversight, nor was she trying to hide anything," Perez said. "It was a staff oversight."

In one of the trips, the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina _ a nonprofit education policy group _ paid the $2,827 cost of Palin's April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., to attend a four-day conference, according to her report. The group has said it also paid for other governors attending the annual event in recent years.

In May 2007, Palin accepted lodging for herself and her three daughters at Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in the Southeast Alaska town of Skagway. The lodging, valued at $300, was paid for by the owners, including Palin friend and former deputy campaign treasurer Kathy Hosford.

The reports were among recent disclosures released to the AP after a public records request.

Among other gifts Palin reported last month is a June 30 flight valued at $1,187.50 that was paid by the North Slope Borough for Palin and her 7-year-old daughter, Piper, to attend various functions, including a whaling festival in the town of Barrow.

Palin and husband Todd also received travel, food and lodging valued at $4,620.12 to attend a Republican Governors Association event in Texas, in April _ gifts that were not reported until August, according to disclosure forms. Palin and the other governors attending the event also received $1,000 Rocky Carroll cowboy boots.

___

On the Net:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: http://gov.state.ak.us/

Comments

[11907281]

She reminds me of dubbya, never made a mistake in her life. Please make her your leader GOP !!

[pipp]

Who pays for Todd's Iron Dog expenses? Even though they manage to write it off. It still comes with a hefty price tag, and the combined income didn't appear to be that high...on top of 5 kids?

[pipp]

No wonder her administrative staff makes so many errors in her favor. Didn't she hand pick her support staff from her Wasilla high school days? Every day's a happy day in this Alaska Governor's office. Whoo Hoo!....GO Wasilla Class of '82!

[pipp]

Of course it's her support staff making errors. in her favor. Aren't they a a boatload of Todd and her best friends from their Wassilla high school days, anyway? Must be just like ol' times everyday in the Alaska State Capitol. Whoo hoo! Go Wassila H.S. Class of '82!

[Henk]

Its all about the entitlement baby! Sarah didn't bat an eye when handed tens of thousands of dollars in clothing and accessories because she, as a prominent Republican, was entitled to them! We've got one here in Minnesota. He gets suits, a home plus utilities, a cushy job while waiting to run for senate, all because he, as a prominent Republican deserves it. They have no shame and have their hat in hand where ever they go. Next time you see Sarah or Norm, please don't forget to drop a few bucks in. They won't thank you, because the are entitled, but your a peon and you don't care, right!

[supertamsf]

"Wasilla Hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast" Rings truer everyday. This woman is a freeloader. She views pubic service as a reality game show to gain fame, fortune, cash and prizes.

[cgoodie]

She (SP) will line up for anything "free". I know people like that from my neighborhood...one of them, who doesn't drink ordinarily, will make a trip to the airport where they hand out free rum punches to arriving tourists...

[Tom Joad]

FREE rum punch at the airport? dude, what airport is that? I'm on my way...

[nikky]

WILL THEY EVER GET TO THIS FREE HOUSE THIS WOMAN IS A LEECH

[loyalreader]

Are state govenors even necessary??

Sure seems like they cost the taxpayers a lot of money. The one mentioned in this piece appears to be out there "selling tickets" for her own lofty ambitions.

Stop the waste.

[cgoodie]

I thought the interesting detail was the trip to AZ in April...wonder if John McCain was part of her agenda then?

[trisha08]

Boy, she really does throw blame around, doesn't she? They claim that "this is the fault of the travel support staff".

She is willing to throw anyone and everyone under the bus who would stand in her way of fame and fortune. Yet, she cries sexism or the MSM when she is questioned. What a whiner.

[RuffNReddy]

She's a distraction.
So is Prop 8.
In the end, neither will stick.

Something is brewing.

[wadda]

During Reagan's time they worked everyone up in a lather about school prayer while they looted the treasury.

[Tom Joad]

"free" trips. methinks there are tax liabilities here. these "free" trips (and "free" clothes from the RNC) represent income (and the "free" $1000 boots, too). I want to see her tax filing in April.

[instagladiator]

"I shawt (misspelled intentionally) an arrow into the air, it fell to earth, I know not where. I loose more darn arrows that way!"

This irrelevant "Yes" person is being kept in the public eye by her puppet masters merely for exposure. She has nothing of value to contribute to the nation that I can see. It's sort of like "their" other tactic of telling "the" lie over and over and over and (in simple-minded little Billy O's case) loud enough. Sooner or later the public will come to think that of it as the truth?

I do not read the articles about this busy ditch, I come here to read the comments - love them. Sure makes my day.

[zippy2112]

more false made up stories by so-called journalist.

[Jean AK]

Zippy, are you freelancing now that Rove laid you off?

This was reported to the AP in response to a public records request! Palin's own spokesman made the statement! Did you read this????

[instagladiator]

Maybe her spokesman misspoke? Maybe it was taken out of context? Maybe I'd better shush because you're right. And No! I didn't read the article either - never read any articles about this busy ditch, I just come here for the comments - love them.

[clamperken]

Oh yeah zippy, it's one big media conspiracy to get your girl. Grow up. This woman has done nothing but take advantage of anyone and everyone she could to get what she wants. It's the Sarah lovers like yourself whom she counts on to continue her con. If you feel like a sucker, don't feel too bad. There seems to be millions of suckers following for Palins' con game.

[troika]

Hey Zippy2112, don't blame the journalists for your woes. Go read the full details of how this was obtained, who disclosed it and the reliability of the source. You need to have all information on hand before you could start blaming the MSM.

[ltva]

She is really trying to tie up lose ends isn't she. She really thinks she has a chance in 2012--please give it up. The info dug up during the 3 months she campaigned with Mccain won't be anything compared to what will be dug up if she puts her hat in the ring in 2012. I bet she and that husband of hers have had gotten over on the Alaska government a few millions over. From my understanding the first dude is getting paid to fix up the governors mansion, they get paid to stay in their own home while it is getting repaired, and they charge the state for every move they make; I say this is just the tip of the iceberg.

[troika]

She ain't going anywhere. She should keep counting her blessings everyday until the end of her first term, because there could be RECALL. Also she will have no room in the 2012 presidential elections. She already is a loser on the national stage and chances are she may not even be elected to a second term as governor.