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Key Palin ethics report awaited Key Palin ethics report awaited
(about 2 hours later)
Legislators in Alaska are expected to release a report on Friday on allegations that Sarah Palin abused her power as the state's governor. Legislators in Alaska are expected to release a politically-sensitive report on allegations that Sarah Palin abused her power as the state's governor.
Mrs Palin stands accused of firing a safety official for refusing to sack a state trooper who was involved in an acrimonious divorce from her sister. She is accused of firing Alaska's top law enforcement official for refusing to sack a state trooper who was in a bitter custody battle with her sister.
Mrs Palin, who is John McCain's running mate, denies any improper behaviour.Mrs Palin, who is John McCain's running mate, denies any improper behaviour.
Thursday saw the state's Supreme Court dismissed an attempt to stop the probe into the case known as "Troopergate". Thursday saw the state's Supreme Court dismiss an attempt to stop the probe into the case known as "Troopergate".
The row has cast a pall over the Republican presidential campaign. The row has cast a shadow over the Republican presidential campaign.
Injustice?Injustice?
The investigation into the affair began before Mr McCain selected Mrs Palin as his running mate last month. The investigation into the affair began before Mr McCain selected Mrs Palin as his running mate in August.
Critics say Mrs Palin used her power as governor to settle a personal feud. Critics say Mrs Palin used her power as governor to settle a personal feud.Walter Monegan says Mr Wooten did nothing to warrant his dismissal
Walter Monegan says Mr Wooten did nothing to warrant his dismissal Several Republican politicians attempted to have the investigation stopped on the grounds that it was politically motivated.
Several Republican politicians had attempted to have the probe stopped on the grounds that it was politically motivated.
The Republican vice-presidential candidate says she fired Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan in July over a budgetary dispute.The Republican vice-presidential candidate says she fired Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan in July over a budgetary dispute.
Mr Monegan maintains he was dismissed for resisting pressure from Mrs Palin's husband, Todd, to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten, Mrs Palin's former brother-in-law. Mr Monegan maintains he was dismissed for resisting pressure from Mrs Palin and her husband, Todd, to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten, Mrs Palin's former brother-in-law.
Todd Palin has admitted he did publicise what he called the injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge.Todd Palin has admitted he did publicise what he called the injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge.
But he said his wife then told him to drop the matter. Mrs Palin has not given evidence.But he said his wife then told him to drop the matter. Mrs Palin has not given evidence.
Mr Monegan said he simply wanted the truth to be made known.Mr Monegan said he simply wanted the truth to be made known.
"The governor did want me to fire [Mr Wooten], and I chose to not," he told the Associated Press. "The governor did want me to fire [Mr Wooten], and I chose to not," he told the Associated Press news agency.
"He didn't do anything under my watch to result in termination.""He didn't do anything under my watch to result in termination."
Sarah Palin's campaign officials on Thursday issued their own report clearing the Alaska governor of any wrongdoing. 'False story'
In what the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington describes as a clear attempt to deflect any potential criticism, Mrs Palin's allies claim the issue has been muddled by innuendo, rumour and politics. The McCain campaign on Thursday issued its own report, written by its staff, stating that the Alaska governor was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
"The following document will prove Walt Monegan's dismissal was a result of his insubordination and budgetary clashes with Governor Palin and her administrators," campaign officials wrote. "Trooper Wooten is a separate issue."
The 21-page report suggests that the allegations against Mrs Palin stem from a conspiracy planned by a former campaign opponent of hers, Andrew Halcro, and Mr Wooten.
"It is tragic that a false story hatched by a blogger over drinks with Trooper Wooten led the legislature to allocate over $100,000 of public money to be spent in what has become a politically-driven investigation," it concludes.
In what the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington describes as a clear attempt to deflect any potential criticism, the McCain campaign says the inquiry has been muddied by innuendo, rumour and partisan politics.