Question: Did Palin try to have her brother-in-law fired from his job as a state Trooper?
And did she fire a public safety commissioner when he refused to do it for her?
Answer: Since John McCain named Palin as his vice-presidential running-mate, serious allegations arose that she attempted to use her public office as governor to force her sister's former husband, Mike Wooten, out of his job as an Alaska State Trooper.
Further complicating the issue is Palin's firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, who has claimed -- and then retracted his claim -- that Palin pressured her to fire Wooten, and when he refused, she fired Monegan instead. A state investigation is currently underway.
Although on the surface, the case appears cut and dried, it is much more complicated than it looks. The timing of statements (if any were made) by Palin and what exactly was said is critical. So far, no public evidence has come to light that she did anything wrong, and Palin has maintained her innocence since the allegations surfaced.
What has surfaced, however, is Wooten's very questionable record as a trooper. Wooten has admitted guilt to electrocuting his 10-year-old step-son with a taser "to teach him a lesson" and has been found guilty of threatening to kill Palin's father. For these offenses, he was suspended from the division for five days. Since then, he has been accused, but has not admitted guilt, to drinking on the job and killing a moose out of season.
As far as Monegan is concerned, although he has claimed his firing was politically motivated, evidence shows that he publicly questioned Palin's policies on two separate occasion, each of which would be grounds enough under state statutes to request his resignation or terminate his employment.
Sarah Palin FAQ Index
Further complicating the issue is Palin's firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, who has claimed -- and then retracted his claim -- that Palin pressured her to fire Wooten, and when he refused, she fired Monegan instead. A state investigation is currently underway.
Although on the surface, the case appears cut and dried, it is much more complicated than it looks. The timing of statements (if any were made) by Palin and what exactly was said is critical. So far, no public evidence has come to light that she did anything wrong, and Palin has maintained her innocence since the allegations surfaced.
What has surfaced, however, is Wooten's very questionable record as a trooper. Wooten has admitted guilt to electrocuting his 10-year-old step-son with a taser "to teach him a lesson" and has been found guilty of threatening to kill Palin's father. For these offenses, he was suspended from the division for five days. Since then, he has been accused, but has not admitted guilt, to drinking on the job and killing a moose out of season.
As far as Monegan is concerned, although he has claimed his firing was politically motivated, evidence shows that he publicly questioned Palin's policies on two separate occasion, each of which would be grounds enough under state statutes to request his resignation or terminate his employment.
Sarah Palin FAQ Index
- Why did Sarah and Todd Palin announce that their teenage daughter was pregnant?
- Was Sarah Palin chosen to be John McCain's running-mate just because she's attractive?
- Will Sarah Palin's family get in the way of her duties as vice-president?
- Did Sarah Palin commit nepotism as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska
- Did Sarah Palin propose banning books at the Wasilla Public Library?
- Did Sarah Palin try to have her former brother-in-law fired from his job as an Alaska State Trooper?
- Did Sarah Palin ever support the "Bridge to Nowhere"?
- Will Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric factor into the VP Debate?
- Is Sarah Palin's "folksy" talk all an act?
- Are Todd and Sarah Palin really getting a divorce?
