Troopergate findings

The report is in, and the Legislative Council has agreed to release it. About 1000 pages of supporting documents are to remain confidential.

FINDINGS:

Finding Number 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 each 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 Number Two

I find that, although Walt Monegan's refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooten 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 Number Three

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

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

Follow the link for the full report.


I probably won't read the report tonight, but the two most immediately important findings are One and Three. Finding three clears Palin in the arena where she faced the most serious legal jeopardy. Finding one confirms what has become patently obvious -- Palin failed to respect the proper boundaries of her office.

One last point before signing off for the night. These findings apply specifically to Governor Palin. Questions remain about the behavior of others, most especially Frank Bailey and Todd Palin.