Ethics committee says Sarah Palin abused her power when firing commissioner

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Posted: 12:05 AM Oct 11, 2008
Last Updated: 12:05 AM Oct 11, 2008

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On Friday, an ethics committee in Alaska found that Sarah Palin abused her power as governor when she fired the state's public safety commissioner.

The report found that a family grudge was not the only reason Palin fired Walter Monegan, but that it was probably a factor.

Palin had been accused of firing Monegan to settle a family dispute.

Monegan claims he was dismissed for not firing a state trooper who had gone through a messy divorce with Palin's sister.

The McCain-Palin camp says Monegan was fired over budget and policy issues.

Palin refused to cooperate in the 10-week-old investigation after publicly saying she would.

The committee does not recommend any sanctions or criminal investigation.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Nov 5, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Well what do you know; Governor Palin was cleared of all allegations of wrongdoing by an independent, non-partisan investigator. I guess she was innocent all along, as she claimed.

Posted by: J on Oct 19, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Hot would be good if she was in another beauty contest, but now we need brains

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 18, 2008 at 07:01 AM
She is hot

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Battle of wits? I'd be happy with intelligent discourse free of personal attacks. Oh wait, I guess you're already disqualified...

Posted by: M. Location: Indiana on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM
You tell 'em Todd!

Posted by: J on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:01 AM
David: We must not be listening to the same person. I have heard him talk on many policies that he thinks needs to be changed and why. He may not be a Maverick, but I think he has good ideas.

Posted by: david Location: mishawaka on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:47 AM
When will all of you realize Obama is just doing things on a grand scale, just to get a lot of people to show up. He never talks about his policies.... or how he will fix the gas prices. all he says is we don't need more George bush policies...that is ALL he EVER says. For a campaign that talks about CHANGE, they sure do just look to the past, and never tell us what they really plan to do

Posted by: A Democrat Location: Indiana on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Willie, I would gladly have a battle of wits with you, but it would be hard for me to have a battle with someone like you who has a lack of ammunition. Actually, you sound a bit paranoid. Do you smoke weed much? Never mind, I don't want to know.

Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:29 PM
No, I do not believe WNDU is in favor of him. McCain is two faced. He can be charged for every negitave claim he makes against Obama in his own life. He has been involved with a radical group as a board member, involved in a banking scandle as an adviser and said it was the largest mistake of his life, involved with G Scooter Libby, and one of the key people to de-regulate the banking industry that just collapsed. It is pretty easy to be against him when you know what he has done. It's all public record and he does not deny any of those points I just brought up...it's just people might not know about them because Obama is choosing to take the high road and not use them against him. McCain knows and admitted early in the election that he does not have a strong background in public finance. That is a problem people. The number one thing on the plate right now. He has two strikes against him already with banks in his career. Palin is not much better. Look at her time as mayor.

Posted by: J on Oct 14, 2008 at 06:08 PM
We would provide for our own if our economy wasn't in the crapper and companies were not closing left and right. Alot of people want to work and maybe, Ed, you are just one of the lucky ones. I am not looking for a handout, I am looking for a job.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Never heard of her before. Who picked her in the first place. Dont matter one way or the other, this country is slowly dying anyway...

Posted by: ToReal Location: Dontcarewhatyousay on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Bottom line, whoever gets in office will be just another puppet. There are truly no solutions to any of the problems created by all the men who have been there before. The world is worse off now, and will continue to be, men cannot rule themselves. Voting in one more lier is not going to make a bit of difference. There will still be murders, rapes, violence of all kinds, poverty, and people being hungry. It will always be a divide of the haves and have nots. Get real.

Posted by: Conservative Location: here on Oct 14, 2008 at 12:40 PM
WNDU: Not printing my post about the media being biased proves my point about all of you left wing d bags getting Obama in office. Thanks for editing out my opinions

Posted by: Ed Location: SBI on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Normally I refrain from personal comments, but I have to say...the majority of you people are nuts. You can't argue logically with an illogical mind. Therefore, I will not try. I will just advise you of this...I am going to hunker down here at the house, and when your house of Obama cards collapses, pass by my house when you go searching for all of the things to which you believe yourself entitled, but the government is not providng. I am not a sheep who will wait for the government and President Obama to help me out and provide for me. I am going to take care of me and mine. Just keep on going, nothing for you here worth losing that hollow life you lead...loot elsewhere. I am sad for this country we are leaving our children.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Oct 14, 2008 at 08:21 AM
LH, did you really believe you would get an honest answer to your question? Anyone who won't admit the overwhelming bias toward democrats is either ignorant, dishonest, or just not very smart. Why do you think FoxNews has become a lightning rod for liberal hate in the media? Because left-leaning viewpoints have been prevalent for so long, any news outlet that is more balanced is derided as a right-wing propaganda machine.

Posted by: M. Location: Indiana on Oct 14, 2008 at 12:40 AM
No, I do not think WNDU is biased. If there are more negative headlines about McCain/Palin, then that is because they have done and said too many negative things. I find in reading WNDU, WSBT, FOX 28, South Bend Tribune, and Indianapolis Star that the coverage is about the same. ALL of them can't be in favor of the Democrats. There is no conspiracy. Sorry.

Posted by: Steve Location: South Bend on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:13 PM
While I certainly hope my choice for president wins, I hope even more that we will all decide to put partisan politics behind no matter who gets elected. There is enough fault and shady dealings to go around. Democratic or Republican let's start looking at the issues on their own merit and not bundle all these side deals into bills, that is where the trouble comes in.

Posted by: Question for Democrats Location: LH on Oct 13, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Democrats....I really want to read your answers to this question. Even as Democrats do you admit that the coverage of this election by WNDU is biased in favor of Obama? Do you notice a disproportionate amount of negative headlines for McCain/Palin vs. Obama/Biden?

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Interesting. Carol from Buchanan, ostensibly an Obama supporter, claims that the Republican party is "trying to turn this campaign into a hate fest"; and then goes on to call Palin "crazy" and McCain a "cranky old man." Unfortunately talking out of both sides of their mouths has become the standard operating procedure for many democrats.

Posted by: Conservative on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I agree that the drive-by media will be getting some one in office that has NO experence what so ever NONE!!! All of the liberals out there are eating up the big poo sandwich that the media is feeding you and you will follow them right off the cliff with the rest of the flock. I am not thrilled with the right wing candidate either but he has some experience...AND NO UNREPENTANT TERRORIST ties. The left is responsible for the problems we are having right now...but the media has told you it is the republicans fault...HELLO the left has been in controll for how long? wake up people...and wndu take a hint from FOX lets report unbiased ok?

Posted by: kate Location: elkhart on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I'm 100% with Tony on this one. Anybody that would taser a child, doesn't deserve a badge, but deserves whatever he gets! As for Obama, do you realize he's spent more time running for president, than he's been doing the job WE are paying him to do? Oh wait, never mind, he usually just votes "present" when he is in the Senate.

Posted by: Laurie Location: Niles. on Oct 12, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Finally, I see Obama supporters! And they are not being chastized. I didn't think it was possible in this area, where I have repeatedly heard Obama is the "anti-christ". Maybe there is hope for thoughtful and open thinking around here, rather than right wing, racist commentary.

Posted by: SB Resident Location: South Bend on Oct 12, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Go Obama, you have my support.

Posted by: Mike Location: South Bend on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM
It's funny how neocons tend to count only Obama's senate experience and never mention the 8 years he spent in the Illinois state senate representing more people than the entire state of Alaska. The neocons got us in this hole and now they try to change the subject every day because they know they can't win the election if people look at how they govern. They should change their campaign slogan to Mccain*Palin - Reward Failure.

Posted by: Julie on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Liz: You might consider doing some research and reading instead of merely listening to the finatics out there. The FACT is that Obama served 3 terms in the Illinois Senate beginning in 1997. He was then elected and began his U.S. Senate term in November 2004. It is the uneducated, biased, "run my mouth before I think" people like you who are helping McCain & Palin destroy their own race. Thanks though, because Obama is clearly the better choice!

Posted by: M. Location: Indiana on Oct 12, 2008 at 12:38 AM
All I can say is that if McCain and Palin get in office and start taxing our insurance benefits, then many of us aren't going to be able to afford our insurance anymore. McCain may as well cut my child's throat, because she NEEDS the insurance we have on her for all of her monthly meds, doctor visits, and hospital stays to keep her alive. We are barely making it now, how can we afford all the expenses McCain is going to throw at us later on? We can't afford to vote for rich, self-centered people like him and his nutty sidekick. I'm voting for Obama and Biden! At least Obama cares about the people who aren't rich.

Posted by: J on Oct 12, 2008 at 12:13 AM
To Liz: Big deal Palin ran a state of how many people? I don't think that really qualifies her for the whole country.I think an educated individual, like Obama, even only being in office 143 days is more qualified then a backwoods hockey mom.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Pt 1. It's funny people say the committee was all dems, in the Alaska senate the majority may be dems, but it's nearly split, and the house is definately republican. Palin did pressure more than one person and fired at least one person. This was not about him being a bad cop, it was about her PERSONAL vendetta. Do you really think we need someone like Palin in office? We had Nixon once...we don't need another. Pt 2. Obama has more US government experience than someone who was amyor for a tiny town in nowhere Alaska, and she had barely any experience in Alaska as governor. Honestly, I don't like either candidate, but I can't vote for a woman who says we need to counsel women raped by their father instead of aborting the baby. She's sick.

Posted by: J on Oct 11, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I want to know if he was a problem before her sisters messy divorce. If he was so bad why didn't they let him go while they were still married?

Posted by: Liz Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Obama has NO experience.... NONE! He held his senate position for exactly 143 days. If someone started YOUR job tomorrow and worked it for 143 days, would you put him in charge of the entire company with his limited experience????? At least Palin has some experience running a town, then a state. I like her. As far as firing the cop goes, who tasers a 10 year old??? That man should have been fired. What if it was your child?

Posted by: carol Location: buchanan on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:41 PM
This country has so much hatred in it right now. The Republican Party is trying to turn this campaign into a hate fest. God bless Obama for taking the high road. Palin is crazy, and McCain is a cranky old man.

Posted by: Cheryl Location: Plymouth on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I hope McCain cuts his losses and dumps her from the ticket. Palin can stay in Alaska--she is a danger to the lower 48.

Posted by: Tony Location: Mishawaka on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:26 PM
the guy she fired would not fire a cop who tasered a 10yr old. Who, in their right mind would not have done the same? That 10yr old happened to be her nephew. Even better reason for firing the guy who wouldn't fire the cop. I believe anyone who was in this situation would have done the same thing. Except you partisan democrat hacks. Just vote obamanation because you want socialism. Look it up. he is the incarnate of the NEW PARTY in chicago. Pure socialists. I dare you to. then don't complain when the gov't has all power over your personal freedom. McCain is NOT a great candidate, but at least he is not a socialist. by far, the better of two evils....but do your own homework, don't just take me at MY word. see for yourself.

Posted by: Pat Location: Shenandoah on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:26 PM
John in SB hit on the head. NONE of the 4 cantidates are qualified. She used her position to bully her employee(typical republican), and McCain has been on the govt payroll for 70 of his 72 yrs on Earth. Obama is no better(acorn), and Biden is a loose cannon. Where are Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson when we need them? In 2012, two house plants will be the cantidates for the dummocrats, and the evendumberpublicans. Vote BOB BARR for President, or do not vote at all.

Posted by: David Location: Mishawaka on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:22 PM
WNDU "Your Obama Station"

Posted by: richard Location: benton harbor on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Ethics Committee,(ha)lets put no sanctions or investigation into this problem. Lets elect her and see who else,she has a grudge against.

Posted by: Ann Location: Elkhart on Oct 11, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Monegan wanted to cover up for the evil state trooper brother in law and Palin wouldn't let it continue. The Dems tried their best, but did not recommend any sanctions or criminal investigation. Could it be that they know the truth and don't want it to come out. Just another way for them to smear the Republican's name and not come out with the truth. Typical Dem's.

Posted by: Lois Location: Indiana on Oct 11, 2008 at 04:54 PM
So,now we have another person we can't trust;what else is new?

Posted by: Dash Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 04:27 PM
What is it about Palin that has so many people thinking she's so pure and forthright? Her mouth opens and she is phony. With her slang and demeaning attitude toward 'joe six pack'. She is a danger. Did you know that Alaska is going to be a safe haven for Christians come the end of days? Yep, according to her. So please, put aside color,and political deferences, and look at the world. We don't control it any more. We never will again. So our next leaders need to think outside the box and play well with others. We don't need another Bush (or two) riding tall in the saddle thinking John Wayne and Ronald Reagan are role models. Take a long look at Sara and wonder is she trying too hard to be liked? Remember she put herself thru college by entering beauty contests. How fake and phony are those??

Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Brian, I can tell you did not read the actual report as I did last evening. There is plenty to be worried about. Her husband should not have access to when he did. He was the major person behind it, but she did use her power also. To Kevin...that very same person you talk about is now a well respected education reformer. Obama does not "hang out" with him. Only knows him on a very quaint basis as living in the same neighborhood. Lets talk about McCain...he was on the board of directors for a well know radical group at one time...he was involved in a banking scheme as an adviser in which he admitted being a huge mistake, and he did help de-regulate the current banking industry, which in no doubt helped lead to this crash in a major way. You guys watch too many tv commercials. Do some fact searching yourself for once. McCain has absolutely no ground to be throwing mud. He has enough in his 1980's political career to out trump Obama by far.

Posted by: spell check Location: plymouth on Oct 11, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Who is the fruit loop here. NO in this case is spelled know.

Posted by: Sally Location: Rochester on Oct 11, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Wow - how much money do you think the ethics committee in Alaska took from the DNP to "find" her "guilty"???? Just like winning the lottery!!!!

Posted by: J on Oct 11, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Kevin: Who Bush and his friend Bin Laden?

Posted by: Mike Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Her husband was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party. Can't get more anti-american than that.

Posted by: Toopie on Oct 11, 2008 at 02:32 PM
This is for Kevin & Brenda who need to get their heads out of their a---s & educate themselves about the real world and real facts. However, these kind of people do not want to believe the truth because it does not jive with their bigotry & back woods trains of thoughts. Palin is a loony tune & McCain chose her just to get the women's votes. He is an insult to all women to think that they are all that stupid!!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 01:08 PM
People are people. They're biased, no matter how much they think they won't be. When they de-certified the union, the bosses began promoting people they liked personally. We don't impose rules, etc. because we're mean or adversarial. We have rules and regulations because we understand that we are humans, we err, and we need to keep each other honest. If we don't, we won't be.

Posted by: Jester Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I looooove CROOKED politicians who act like they're not. Palin sucks.

Posted by: LH Location: SB on Oct 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Liberal mainstream media...you've won the election for Obama already...does it feel good to be journalistic frauds?

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:36 AM
The scariest part of all this, is that her husband is involved in all aspects of her job...who's in charge..this is not a maverick....this is your typical 'stand by your man..who doesn't work'....conservative mentality

Posted by: Julie on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Alaska, like many others, is an at will employment state. What this means is that employers are under no obligation or liability to continue employing a person. By the same token employees can also quit "at will". Understanding that helps understand the ruling handed down by the ethics committee. What they're saying is Yes Palin was in the wrong, Yes her husband was in the wrong, Yes Palin abused state power when she set out to settle a personal vandetta, Yes, it was wrong for her husband to have access to the governors office & act in the way that he did. HOWEVER due to the "at will" employment policy they cannot prosecute Palin; there's no law to charge her under. Likewise murder can only be prosecuted because there are laws on the books to prosecute with. Basically, what the committee is saying is; Yes she's guilty but there's nothing we can do. Of course to save embarrassment the repubs will now blame the Democrats rather than take responsibility and admit the truth.

Posted by: John Location: SB on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Im not too sure you can be a major player in politics without associating with people of "lesser" character. McCain has the Keeting 5. Palin has got this. Obama has his faults, Wright, Ayeres. McCain is just a Navy brat that had everything handed to him with his dads hand. Obama atleast worked hard to get where he is. He graduated not at the bottom of class from an Ivy league school, unlike McCain who graduated 894 out of a class 899. Based on education alone, Obama has him crushed. It does make me wonder why either of these characters are our canidates in the first place. Both have so many flaws and negative associations and histories. It says more about us, the American people than them, that we even allow it to happen. Surely there are better people in both parties right? Yet despite all the bad stuff about them, its always the lesser of 2 evils. Every 4 years its the same way. We put up with it. Neither canidate is qualified in my book based on their character.

Posted by: Brian Location: Elkhart on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Tonya from Kewanna, so your not voting for anyone who has been in prison thats really nice when you consider McCain was tortured and beaten while he paid his "debt" to the Viet Cong. Your just afraid Sarah Palin is going to go all Tony Harding on the Dems and smack M Obama in the knee cap with a hockey stick

Posted by: Kevin Location: Mish on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Shoppy| I take it you,d rather have someone who hangs around with people who bomed the pentagon and who has a mentor who,s anti-american and a radical who thinks all the problems in this country are cause by the rich white people?

Posted by: Brian Location: Elkhart on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:06 AM
"Today's report showed that the governor acted within her proper and lawful authority in the reassignment of Walt Monegan," Meg Stapleton, a spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said in a written statement. The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.

Posted by: Gary Location: Dowagiac on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I see part of the story was left out about the part where: Palin's firing of Monegan was ''a proper and lawful exercise'' of the governor's authority. If it was proper and lawful, how can it be an ''abuse''? Sounds like a political statement to me. Maybe we need to find a real news site to get all the facts instead of WNDU.

Posted by: John Location: mccain ville on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Liberal MEDIA with Liberal VIEWERS and READERS. Check out there Home page story about yard signs. Whose do you think they show? NOT MCCAINS! Guess you all missed the part about “was probably a factor.” What did you expect with liberals doing the report? Honesty? All we got was GARBAGE

Posted by: Tonya Location: Kewanna on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Richard- Sounds like you must be all for electing a president who has been in prison for FEDERAL FRAUD...not to mention his vice pres. nominee who obviously thinks she is in the mob. By gosh, don't mess with the Palin Family, they might whack your family. I know who I am voting for....and it won't be for anyone who has been in prison.

Posted by: Obama fundraiser, convicted of fraud, spills beans on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:01 AM
The AP is reporting this but WNDU chooses not to post ANYTHING about it. Yep I know who WNDU wants for the prez...

Posted by: Jm Location: SB on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Thecop(brother in law) used a taser on a 10 year old and had empty beer cans in his squad car you loons, of course what she did was a whole lot worse then the dems and all their fraudulant voters. By the way the ethics committee were dems, probably did,nt hear that part or did,nt want to hear that part.

Posted by: Joe Six Pack Location: The Interweb on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Uhhhh- Maverick?

Posted by: brenda Location: elkhart on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Any one who comments to this Should first look at what Obama has had himself in and who he is friends with . Then, throw stones .

Posted by: M. Location: Indiana on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM
If she did this, then she will be worse if and when she becomes VP. I have found nothing about this woman that I like.

Posted by: shoppy Location: osceola on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Thats what we need another slimbag in office. This cinched who Im voting for

Posted by: Richard Location: Elkhart on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:04 AM
The story, or lack there of, sure gets distorted when you liberals in the media get a hold of it. I had expected better out of wndu,how about the complete Plain story,but of course, you can not expect the whole truth from the librial media

Posted by: joeblow Location: ind on Oct 11, 2008 at 07:05 AM
oh what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive. Now go away.

Posted by: dustin Location: sb on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:18 AM
that lady is very crazy you no shes fruit loop

Posted by: republicat Location: South Bend on Oct 11, 2008 at 01:52 AM
This is BS! The woman didn't cooperate and she abused her power. She should be impeached as governor and excluded from this race as an unfit running mate.

Posted by: James Location: San Jose Ca. US on Oct 11, 2008 at 01:00 AM
If anything, the troopergate affair is a story about labor unions out of control. Facts left out of this account include three. Wooten was found to have threatened to put a bullet in his father-in-laws head. But, threatening someone not present is not a crime. Sarah Palin's sister did get a court injunction to keep Wooten away. And third, Wooten was famous for telling anyone who would listen "I'll never work for that bitch". (referring to Palin). But the Alaska State Trooper's union protects this guy from getting fired. So we have this situation at state events: a guy who threatened to kill the Govenor's father, who would tell anyone around "I'll never work for that bitch", is standing guard with a sidearm over the Govenor of the State of Alaska.