Palin Abused Power in Trying to Can Trooper, Panel Says

Sarah Palin violated an Alaska ethics law as governor by trying to fire a state trooper divorced from her sister, state lawmakers ruled today. Palin also fired a state commissioner partly because he refused to can the trooper, but the legislative panel called that firing "a proper and lawful exercise" of her power, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The attorney general's office also failed to supply emails on the case, the legislators said.

State lawmakers huddled for 6 hours today before voting unanimously to issue their report, although they kept some parts confidential. Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan claims he was let go for refusing to fire a trooper embroiled in a divorce with Palin's sister; Palin says she fired Monegan over a budget disagreement. Her supporters say the state's probe is motivated by politics, MSNBC reports.
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