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.
This clearly states that nothing improper about the "firing" which, I had thought was actually a resignation.
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 39.52.11O(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.11O(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.”
To be able to explain this finding it took 29 pages of text.
If she was actually found guilty of anything, it is deemed to be an ethics violation. The DNC should welcome her with open arms!
The finding is invalid if she had ANY OTHER LEGITIMATE REASON to remove Monegan, which she did.
“and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.”
Who benefitted personally or financially from the firing of the Commissioner of Safety? Other than the State of Alaska? Isn’t a Governor supposed to make these calls? There’s a logical disconnect here. The Palin family might have benefitted by the firing of the State Trooper. But what’s at issue is the firing of the Commissioner of Safety. Again, who benefitted personally by this action?
The committee is confusing two separate issues here.