1. - July 28, 2008 - Alaska lawmakers launched an investigation into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power when she fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan over his refusal to let go a state trooper involved in a contentious divorce with Palin's sister. Stephen Branchflower, a special counsel leading the investigation, concluded Oct. 10 that Palin violated a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain. The firing itself was deemed lawful since Monegan was an at-will employee.
2. - Aug. 6, 2008 - Complaint filed by outspoken Palin critic Andree McLeod of Anchorage contended Palin and some staff members used their influence to get a Palin supporter a job in state government. Complaint alleged Palin staffers helped Tom Lamal, who once co-hosted a Palin fundraiser, to get a job as a surveyor. Dismissed by state personnel board, although the board's investigator recommended ethics training for one staffer who made questionable comments in e-mails.
3. - Aug. 20, 2008 - Complaint accused Palin of breaking election law by taking a public position on a mining ballot initiative days before the vote. Filed by Brian Kraft, founder of the Bristol Bay Alliance, a group that opposed the Pebble Mine prospect. Rejected May 8 by the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
- Aug. 29, 2008 - Palin named as John McCain's running mate.
4. - Sept. 2, 2008 - Palin filed a "self disclosure" with the state personnel board over the Troopergate affair, saying a state legislative probe had become too political. On Nov. 3 - the day before the election - Timothy Petumenos, a lawyer hired by the board, said that Palin violated no ethics laws when she fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. (This is the one that is costing Palin the most money. The one she filed against herself.)
5. - Sept. 3, 2008 - Complaint by the Public Safety Employees Association alleged Palin or her staff had unauthorized access to and improperly disclosed information from personnel records of Trooper Mike Wooten, Palin's ex-brother-in-law. Complaint was later amended to include an allegation of harassment. The PSEA's allegations were investigated alongside Palin's filing and also dismissed.
6. - Oct. 13, 2008 - Monegan asked the board for a hearing to clear his name. Petumenos, in his Nov. 3 Troopergate report to the panel, said there was no legal basis or jurisdiction for such a hearing.
7. - Oct. 23, 2008 - Complaint with the Federal Election Commission by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics alleged the $150,000-plus designer wardrobe the Republican Party bought to outfit Palin in her vice presidential quest violated Federal Election Campaign Act. The Washington watchdog group argued that candidates aren't supposed to use donor money for personal expenses. The FEC ruled May 19 that party money is not covered by the ban.
8. - Oct. 24, 2008 - Complaint contended Palin abused her power by charging the state when her children traveled with her. The personnel board found no wrongdoing, but in a Feb. 23 settlement Palin agreed to reimburse the state about $10,000 for costs associated with 10 trips found to be of questionable state interest among 72 travel authorizations studied. The money is due to the state on Tuesday.
9. - Nov. 14, 2008 - Accused Palin of partisan "post-election damage control" for talking to reporters about the campaign in her state office. Filed by Zane Henning, a North Slope worker from Wasilla, Palin's hometown. Dismissed by state personnel board March 23.
10. - Dec. 2, 2008 - Alleged Palin violated ethics law by campaigning for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. Filed by Anthony Martin of Talkeetna. Dismissed by state personnel board March 23.
11. - Dec. 18, 2008 - Complaint contended Palin misused funds of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, a quasi-government entity, to promote her political ambitions with advertisements featuring her, violating ethics law. The ads promoting Alaska seafood ran in the National Fisherman last year through November. Dismissed Jan. 12 after a personnel board investigation determined Palin's only involvement was to give permission to use her image long before she was named McCain's running mate.
12. - Jan. 12 - Complaint alleging interference in a job hiring was filed under the name of Edna Birch, a busybody character on the British soap opera Emmerdale. Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said no one by that name could be found living in Alaska and the filer refused to use a real name, so the complaint was dismissed Feb. 20. (WTF? Okay THIS one might have been frivolous.))
13. and 14. - Jan. 26 - Two complaints filed by McLeod alleged two of Palin's top aides misused their official positions for Palin's personal and political gain. The complaints said then-press secretary Bill McAllister and Kris Perry - director of the governor's Anchorage office - worked on state time to benefit Palin's interests during and after her vice presidential quest. Pending.
15. - March 18 - Contended Palin improperly used state staff, property, time and equipment for partisan political purposes. One of the grievances cited was Palin's posting of her veep candidacy on the official state governor's Web site - http://gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=1439&type=1 Complaint filed by McLeod. Dismissed May 27 as lacking merit by personnel board May 27.
16. - March 24 - Contended conflict of interest by Palin because she wore Arctic Cat logo gear during the Tesoro Iron Dog snowmobile race. Palin's husband, Todd, is sponsored by Arctic Cat in the race. Filed by Linda Kellen Biegel, a Democratic blogger. Dismissed June 2. (Yay Linda!)
17. - April 22 - Alleged that work with Palin's political action committee violated two provisions of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act by misusing her official position and accepting outside employment. Filed by Anchorage resident Sondra Tompkins. Dismissed as lacking merit by state personnel board May 8.
18. - April 27 - Contends Palin is misusing the governor's office for personal gain by securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust. The fund was recently established by supporters to help Palin pay off more than $500,000 in legal debts stemming from other ethics complaints, including troopergate. Complaint filed by Eagle River resident, Kim Chatman. Pending.
Okay I am going to go out on a limb and say that this is probably a record.
That's right, our Governor is waaay more unethical than your Governor!
Suck on that Illinois!
(By the way this article comes to us courtesy of the Fairbanks Newsminer. They tend to be much more fair and balanced than the ADN.)
She's so pitiful...and right now she's probably finding a way to get into the news in the next few minutes so she can get some more cash. Here is a yummy article on her, read and enjoy: http://www.examiner.com/x-1135-LA-Religion--Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m6d21-If-Sarah-Palin-really-were-a-Christian-shed-just-go-away
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is, where did Sarah and Todd get the tens of millions of dollars in investments they reported in their financial disclosure forms? Seriously. Up until a few years ago, this woman's salary was in the five figure range, as was Todd's. Has anyone ever looked into this? I smell something really, really rotten.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in or near Chicago for all my life. One gets used to Chicago politics early: "Vote Early Vote Often" or "This town ain't ready for reform, yet." But, as long as the garbage is picked up and the streets are plowed after a snowstorm, it is easy to forgive the small stuff.
ReplyDeleteOur previous governor, George Ryan, is currently serving time in prison. Worst crime: he had a scheme where state employees had to contribute to his various funds, meaning that they spent most of their time on the job raising money.
It all came clear when there was a terrible accident involving a truck driver and the death of four children. It seems that the truck driver, like many others, "bought" his license at a facility that was part of the Ryan Fundraising Scheme.
Was Ryan all bad? No. Every year, the Investigative Journalism Class at Northwestern University picked a crime to research. Through their basic reporting skills, we came to realize that there were at least 18 men on Death Row who had been wrongly convicted. Ryan suspended the death penalty because of their work.
Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law is a former Chicago alderman, someone who has always been part of the system. A few years ago, when the Republican Party was stronger in Downstate Illinois,Blagojevich might not have been removed from office. Our demographics are changing, even if our politicians continue to do business as usual.
So, Alaska, you may rack up more complaints, but since the governor appoints the board that will hear the complaints, it is an exercise in futility. Your demographics don't support her being recalled or impeached. Unless that list gets really long, unless she does something so outrageous that even the most staunch Republican says "Enough!" I am sorry to say you're stuck with her for another 2 years.
On the other hand, Pattie Blagojevich is also under investigation. As the head of a "real estate company" alot of money was funneled to her through backdoor channels. Todd's deal with Arctic Cat should be waving red flags over at the IRS; the FEDS usually get their man(Dillinger movie coming out soon). And, that house he "built" with his buddies might be another red flag. Palingates is hinting at all kinds of financial wrong doings.
So good luck, and remember, even if you do remove Sarah from public office, she and Todd can go the jungle and eat worms with our governor's wife; they can make the rounds of the TV News shows that are really entertainment, they could even star in their own soap-opera-reality-show now that Kate and Jon seem to be having trouble. Gone, but not forgotten!
Why did she have to be idendified like THIS: "Linda Kellen Biegel, a *DEMOCRATIC BLOGGER*" ???
ReplyDeleteWhy not simply as a resident of whatever, like all the others?
I think it is important to realize that if the Palins are manipulating the TAX system, the IRS will take care of it, no matter what they say.
ReplyDeleteThe IRS investigates tax fraud. You can't bribe them and they do not go away.
I believe the Arctic Cat "gift" may prove to be her undoing unless they actually are reporting them and just denying it to be bitchy.
You cannot get away with tax fraud.
Remember how the Feds got Al Capone? Tax fraud.
Thanks! Please list them again, from time to time.
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that she who will not be named has the Personnel Board in her pocket.
When the complete truth comes out about her manipulative, dirty ways - and it will, eventually - these three and her AG will have the dishonor of being her enablers.
Yes, I still feel anger towards McCain and the professionals who knowingly "covered" for this woman during the last election. To think this ignorant, petty woman was put on a national stage, while her handlers knew what a nutcase she was (and is - but she's looking a bit more haggard these days) was a great dis-service to themselves and their country.
Thank dog we have "No-Drama Obama" in the House, and not "The Tabloid Queen of Alaska".
P.S. I look forward to Geoffrey Dunn's book in 2010, but I don't think it will inventory more than a third, at most, of her dirty laundry.
This woman amazes me. We elect idiots all the time at the national level, look at Georgie. But I really think that either George or his handlers knew the man was an idiot. He too was a governor but the Governor of Texas is essentially a figure head so not much was known. He knew how to not sound like too much of a nut job (remember him saying the U.S. should not be engaged in nation building). Yeah I know he got elected a second time and most already figured he was an idiot that time, but they played the fear card and Kerry was a idiot and let the idea take hold before fighting it.
ReplyDeleteOur illustrious governor is also an idiot. The difference however are stark. Number one is that neither she nor her handlers seem to recognize that moldy bread is smarter than she is. Nummber two, not knowing this they keep letting her talk increasing the soundbites available in either 2010 and/or 2012.
Her VP schtick about busting up the old boy's club in Juneau is hilarious. Out went some to be replaced by high school classmates. I mean come on, the head of the agricultural department is qualified because she liked cows as a kid.
Sadly I agree that she won't be recalled or impeached but with each passing day I become more confident that she won't be elected to anything again.
Too much autonomy to the states. Alaska is far enough off the beaten track so that this perversion of the justice system can go more or less unnoticed. And each state does it's little bit to destroy the justice system which can eventually destroy a country. the system allows Palin to manipulate the rules as well as only enforcing the rules which benefit her. It's going to be exceedingly difficult to stop her when she's the one bringing the ball to the game.
ReplyDeleteWow...18. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, must be a duck. Palin should be recalled for lack of confidence.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the personnel board lacks the power to conduct a thorough investigation. Several years ago, Palin went to another person's computer and obtained evidence of an ethics violation. Has anyone checked Palin's Blackberries and computer as well as all the computers used by her staff? Seems like the personnel board just took Palin's word for it which proved nothing. Seems Palin has a habit of lying or distorting the truth as she sees fit.
What about religiongate? Where the State of Alaska gave a church in Juneau $25,000 for an after school home spiritual warfare 7-week study program? Palingates has documentation of such grant. The Constitution protects citizens from a state promoting or teaching a religion. Yet, nothing has been done regarding this violation.
Someone SHOULD check into those millions of dollars in investments this family has! something is DEFINITELY FISHY here!
ReplyDeletePerhaps Palin will rely on lawyer Kevin Clarkson again (like Troopergate Round 1) and she can pick him for Supreme Court. He's on the list.
ReplyDeleteI also really do not understand how they could have that much money in investments based on their reported earnings. I am a bit older than the Palins and when working always contributed to the max to 401 k or IRA or anything available. There is something wrong there unless their investments performed incredibly well and tripled. It is hard to believe with the way the market has been....... There must have been other ways they made money besides their employment and business transactions. But then how does it end up in a retirement account? There are legal limits for that.....
ReplyDeleteI doubt though they are that stupid to lie about that. What I do find very offensive is the begging for money AND he portraying this image of an "ever day hockey mom." It is BULLSHIT. Excuse my French! First of all, Track is the only one who played hockey (right?) and it was awhile ago. And second, very very few every day hockey moms have millions of dollars invested.
Also anon 8:57, it shocks me that no one has filed an actual complaint about religiongate. I don't know the laws, but it seems like one of the worst offenses to me. What a crooked person Palin is and her followers call her Godly? Are they blind?? I just don't understand it. I think they are blinded by hate. Don't they see she is fooling them and lying to them?
Anonymous @ 7:37 -- I don't see anything in the March 2009 financial disclosures about millions of dollors worth of investments. It looks like they have tens of thousands, but that is not unusual for someone who does payroll deductions automatically. Are you sure you are not misreading numbers of units in a fund for dollar amounts? Or the account number?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm shocked that religiongate hasn't become an ethics complaint. Holy cow! That one is blatant.
ReplyDeleteA bit off topic, but I would like to invite you, Grphen, and your friends here at The Immoral Minority to check out my photos of the Pridefest parade and picnic here. We really had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.northernvisions.smugmug.com/gallery/8646087_zHCDS#570561713_tjFFG
Blue_in_AK
will you report that 14 have been thrown out for wasting the time and resources of Alaska?
ReplyDeleteAnon's re: "religiongate" I had heard on Mudflats ACLU is working that one. FYI :)
ReplyDeleteHey Anon 10:36. I think he did say which ones were dismissed? Doesn't it say that?
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. Sarah says she has amassed 500,000 in legal bills. If all of these were thrown out, how could it ever cost that much. The only one that seemed to cost a lot of money was the complaint she followed against herself. It just would be interesting (wouldn't you like to see too?) how much exactly each complaint cost the state......it didn't look like most of them took much time at all except for the one also that she filed against herself...
OH, I think the amounts people are reporting for the 401 k are wrong. There are decimal points missing and if that is true, they really don't have that much money. I don't even like talking about this. I think this information should be private for all politicians myself.......and yeppers I am a liberal
ReplyDeleteI do NOT see tens of millions of dollars either. Someone is putting the decimal points in wrong place. We should be more careful before putting this kind of misinformation in a post. The point will get lost - the point being that the AK Fund Trust ill NOT proide a breakdown of the costs, that the $600,000 is a result of SP 's own ethics complaint against herself, as well as costs for Todd's defense for ignoring supoenas (found guilty) and defense for taking travel expenses for her children (she has to pay $10,000 back, and possibly more when IRS analyzes it). My theory is that the dollars raised fom the begathon will be used to FILE lawsuits (she loves to do that) against the people who are trying to hold her accountable. SP is vincictive, and will try to shut everyone up - I am thinking this will be her first priority. Although we will never know where the money goes, since (like everything else in the GINO's life) it is shhhhh, a secret.
ReplyDeleteI disagree about her GINness filing lawsuits. She certainly seems to like to have her minions threaten lawsuits, but has she ever put her fans' money where her mouth is? Has she ever filed suit against anyone? Think about why not: once she files a lawsuit against anyone, she opens herself up for reciprocal discovery. She, too, would have to produce documents and answer interrogatories and be subject to being deposed under oath. How many people think it's curious that someone so quick to accuse others of "frivolous" attacks on her, and who has been the subject of, e.g., National Enquirer articles suggesting she's had an affair and her minor children were partiers involved with drugs, has NOT filed any lawsuits? People with things to hide do not file lawsuits against those who want things out in the open.
ReplyDeleteHere, I suggest, is why you just see her minions' threats and have not (and will not) see her GIN-ness actually filing lawsuits against anyone (including the national publication that published stories of her affair and her minor children's drug escapades): if GINO becomes a civil plaintiff, that makes her open to reciprocal discovery. She would have to produce documents. She would have to answer interrogatories under oath. She would be subject to having to give sworn deposition testimony (under pains and penalties of perjury), as would be any of her family members and cronies who would have something to say about the subject matter of that lawsuit. And she would have no control over the factfinders or the forum.
ReplyDeleteI'm a liberal and I don't like the way you treat Gov. Palin.
ReplyDeleteIt makes us look really bad to have a nut job like this operating a liberal blog. Imagine the damage you are doing to our image in the lower 48.
shameful.
@2:10. John Ziegler, is that you?
ReplyDelete(Question: if you don't like this excellent blog, why visit it?)
How to Recall An Alaskan Governor in 5 Easy Steps: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/26/83754/534/409/610818
"I'm a liberal and I don't like the way you treat Gov. Palin....It makes us look really bad to have a nut job like this operating a liberal blog. Imagine the damage you are doing to our image in the lower 48...shameful."
ReplyDeleteIf you are a true liberal, you must have stopped your education very early, or you would be offended by almost everything this dingbat does.
The NUT JOB is in the Governor's office in Alaska (or more likely, parading around the lower 48 getting face time for her "2012 campaign").
Sarah Palin herself has offered the proof of how clueless she is, again and again, EVERY time her mouth opens. If she continues to do so, we will continue to blog about her, comment on her, use her as a model of Family Values Not To Have, and otherwise warn as many Americans as possible about why her particular brand of ignorance is so very dangerous to ANY nation wanting to proGRESS!!!!
On the current Mudflats open thread go to post # 122. The person has a link to a story about the person running the AK IT Dept.,Annette Kreitzer.
ReplyDeleteThere might be information in this article that could be helpful to Celtic Diva in obtaining the info she wants. If nothing else... it is good background on how they are running that Dept.
Please forward the info to Celtic Diva.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Default&articleId=9134651&taxonomyId=0&pageNumber=1
We need an independently elected personnel board. I can understand having the governor of a state appoint the cabinet members, even the attorney general, because they want to all be singing off the same sheet. I can understand having the governor of a state appoint many of the boards that help make policy in the state (the fish board, the game board). But ethical behavior is pretty much the same, no matter who is in the executive office. And if the personnel board is the board that judges state employee ethical behavior, then they need to be elected, not appointed by any of the people they may be called upon to judge.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI'm a liberal and I don't like the way you treat Gov. Palin.
It makes us look really bad to have a nut job like this operating a liberal blog. Imagine the damage you are doing to our image in the lower 48.
shameful.
2:10 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LMAO!!! too funny!What exactly is being done to po,po GINO here??? THe truth??? Maybe?
Anon, you are the nutjob!
What if the Alaska Fund Trust is being used to pay off people to quiet them on all the questionble activities coming out. Is that still legal?
ReplyDelete