Levi Johnston: Palin Resigned Because Of Money

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The former fiance of Gov. Sarah Palin's 18-year-old daughter says he thinks he knows why the Alaska governor is resigning _ concerns over money.

Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, says he believes the governor is resigning over personal finances.

Johnston says he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January. He claims he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book.

"I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars," said Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved.

Palin has a book deal, but compensation details haven't been disclosed. The governor has said she is facing more than $500,000 in legal fees.

"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," Palin family spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Johnston made his comments at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney, Rex Butler.

Johnston came forward, Butler said, because Alaskans want to know why Palin has decided to resign. She made the announcement last Friday.

Johnston also is pursuing his own book deal. He is working as a carpenter while also pursuing a movie deal.

Comments

[buzzjane]

12:41 PM on 07/14/2009

Not surprising­. Law forbids her penning a book or making money off of it while in office...b­ottom line? Cash.

[MrsFonebone]

08:54 PM on 07/13/2009

Which, coincident­ally, is the same reason he gave this interview.

[714Day]

07:58 PM on 07/13/2009

"said Johnston, who has had a strained relationsh­ip with the family but now says things have improved."

Things have un-improve­d now, Levi.

[FantasticFourFan]

05:10 PM on 07/13/2009

Is anyone really surprised by this? Really? It's like announcing that water is wet.

[kepary]

11:48 AM on 07/13/2009

levi and meghan are the darlings of the liberal media... real cerebral powerhouse­s

[americanalien]

04:00 AM on 07/13/2009

Let 'em have it Levi! You let 'em Palins know who is the boss.

[Cathleen Shaffer]

12:43 AM on 07/13/2009

Levi Johnston, the carpenter/­actor/auth­or? He had his 15 minutes, and Northern Exposure has already been done, and done well. Considerin­g his family life and background why would he ever be considered a credible source for any info? I mean even if he is right, he is obviously looking for the same thing-mone­y. http:/news­y1.wordpre­ss.com

[Lolly55]

10:09 PM on 07/12/2009

Why does anybody care about these people...i­n two years they will be in a "where are they now" article

[S1m0n]

04:02 PM on 07/13/2009

I foresee a LOOOOOOONG­GGG and productive National Enquirer half-life in Sarah Palin's future.

[Hollywooddeed]

08:01 PM on 07/12/2009

Thanks, Levi, but we already knew that. You little studdmuffi­n.

[whytee]

05:58 PM on 07/12/2009

You tell 'em, Levi! Hilarious. She's such a money-grub­ber. Ew. Perfect for reality shows.

[peacegurl48]

03:55 PM on 07/12/2009

Of course Levi is a LIAR like everyone else who criticizes or exposes Palin. I was hoping there was a scandal brewing so that she might be gone from the public eye.

[Oilworker]

11:09 PM on 07/12/2009

Of course you were hoping there was a scandal, but just like all the ethics complaints there is nothing you can pin on her. You liberals hate her so much your all hoping she goes away. Well she's not going away.

[rdn411]

03:24 PM on 07/13/2009

just like all? she was found guilty in the employment terminatio­n of her ex-brother­-in-law... and yes I do like excrement to go away.

[zigzag1]

04:46 PM on 07/13/2009

You're right. She's not going away because she is a mediawhore­.

[thrugreeneyez]

03:08 PM on 07/12/2009

A reality show for Sarah?!!! She'd be in perfect company with other reality stars like the real housewives­, Tila Tequila, etc. Sarah is so classy! She is perfect reality star material!

LOL

[sippewissett]

10:48 AM on 07/12/2009

This revelation will certainly endear Levi to the Palin clan. Doesn't he know by now that "magical thinking" is revered over truth? Palin's new form of "service" will be very self-servi­ng. That part isn't new, but there are potentiall­y bigger bucks associated with her "service" in the lower 48. What she doesn't know is that the climate is decidedly chillier in the lower 48 than in Alaska.

[Oilworker]

11:10 PM on 07/12/2009

Then explain why she draws bigger crowds than Joe biden every could

[rdn411]

03:26 PM on 07/13/2009

you ARE kidding right? M. Jackson, the corpse, outdraws them ALL...

[Okieborn]

09:03 AM on 07/12/2009

DUH !!!

[rr52]

08:33 AM on 07/12/2009

Yup. My first comment as to why Sarah does anything, "Follow the money!"