Ethical Debate Brewing Over Palin Legal Fund
Alaska governor Sara Palin can’t catch a break. First came ‘Troopergate’, followed by the Levi Johnson-Bristol Palin scandal. Now the former vice presidential candidate is facing ethical challenges over her newly established legal defense fund.
Jordann James
Sarah Palin waves to supporters.
An ethics complaint has been filed against the outspoken conservative, claiming a legal defense fund formed by the governor last week violates ethics laws. The complaint, filed Monday with the Attorney General’s office by Kim Chatman of Eagle River, claims the fund represents improper use of the Governor’s office for personal gain.
The fund was established last week by Palin supporter Kristan Cole in an effort to raise cash to offset Palin’s ever mounting legal fees, estimated to currently be in the neighborhood of a half a million dollars. Much of the debt was accumulated as a result of the ’Troopergate’ investigations and other legal matters involving the controversial governor.
Just since the presidential election in November 2008, no less than a dozen ethical complaints have been filed against Palin. The contents of those complaints are currently not available. Palin and her staff have responded by asserting the complaints are politically motivated.
Governor Palin, born in Sandpoint, Idaho, became Alaska's governor in 2006, and is considered by many to be the leading candidate to represent the Republican party in the 2012 presidential election.
