The report had four key findings, written by Stephen Branchflower, the chief investigator of the Alaska legislative panel.
Finding 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 every 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 Two
I find that, although Walt Monegan's refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooter 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 Three
Harbor Adjustment Service of Anchorage, and its owner Ms. Murleen Wilkes, handled Trooper Michael Wooten's workers' compensation claim properly and in the normal course of business like any other claim process by Harbor Adjustment Service and Ms. Wilkes. Further, Trooper Wooten received all the workers' compensation benefits to which he was entitled.
Finding Four
The Attorney General's office has failed to substantially comply with my August 6, 2008 written request to Governor Sarah Palin for information about the case in the form of emails.
The wingnuts are already trying to spin this as if she didn't break the law because the report finds her firing of Monegan "was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statutory authority to hire and fire executive branch department heads." However, before that, the report plainly states: "I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39/52/110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act." - She may have had the constitutional right to fire him, but the reason WHY she did it was an abuse of her power that violates the ethics law, so she broke the law plain and simple.
Also get ready from propaganda from the right that this was a politically motivated investigation full of Obama supporters. The facts simply don't back this claim up. The committee was majority Republican and they agreed to look into this matter well before Palin was chosen as the VP candidate by McCain.
The "right" has already been saying that anyone involved in the type of personal matter between Palin, her sister and ex-brother-in-law would do the same thing. This is absolutely no excuse for abusing the power of your office when there are perfectly legal ways to deal with the problem if there is any truth to the allegations against State Trooper Mike Wooten.
Finding four is interesting because they conclude that Palin has not cooperated with the investigation as she's claimed. If she had nothing to hide, why not turn over the emails Sarah?
What does this say about John McCain and his choice of Palin for VP? Did he not know about the investigation? If not, she was not properly vetted. If he did know, did he at least look into it to see if there was anything to the allegations or did he just trust someone he barely knows at her word alone? Maybe he doesn't care because Republicans and corruption go hand-in-hand.
I knew as soon as Palin was picked that the McCain campaign was doomed. Now, it is confirmed. How can anyone in their right mind be comfortable with this person being a 72-year-old cancer survivor's heartbeat away from the presidency? It's bad enough she's completely unqualified for VP or (GOD FORBID) president. Now, the only experience she has of being governor of the 47th most populous state for 20 months is forever marred with an ethics violation because of an abuse of power! Does this sound like more of the same to anybody!?!
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