Just days before she is to leave office as Governor of Alaska, Bible Spice Palin has been found to have violated ethics laws by trading on her position as she sought money for lawyer fees. Like many members of the far right and Christianist set, laws and rules are for others while they deem themselves exempt from any restrictions - including the Commandment against lying and bearing false witness. Personally, I'm not the least surprised with the development - after all Bible Spice billed the state of Alaska for per diem reimbursement when she stayed in her own home rather than the Governor's mansion in Juneau. Yet she remains a superstar to the GOP base which seems increasingly untethered from objective reality. Here are some highlights via the Associated Press on Palin's latest misadventure and case of money grubbing:*
A report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press says Palin is securing unwarranted benefits and receiving improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust, set up by supporters. An investigator for the state personnel board says in the July 14 report that there is probable cause to believe Palin used or attempted to use her official position for personal gain because she authorized the creation of the Alaska Fund Trust as the "official" legal defense fund.
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The practical effect of the ruling on Palin will be more financial than anything else, although the fate of the tens of thousands of dollars in the fund is unclear, said Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein. The report recommends that the complaint be resolved without a formal hearing before the board. That allows her to resolve the issue without a formal ethics reprimand.
The practical effect of the ruling on Palin will be more financial than anything else, although the fate of the tens of thousands of dollars in the fund is unclear, said Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein. The report recommends that the complaint be resolved without a formal hearing before the board. That allows her to resolve the issue without a formal ethics reprimand.
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The investigator, Thomas Daniel, suggested that Alaska lawmakers may need to create a law that reimburses public officials for legal expenses to defend complaints that end up being unfounded. Palin's friends and supporters created the Alaska Fund Trust in April, limiting donations to $150 per person. Organizers declined to say how much it has raised, and had hoped to raise about $500,000. A Web-a-thon last month brought in about $130,000 in pledges.
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At least 19 ethics complaints have been filed against Palin, most of them after she was named the running mate for GOP presidential candidate John McCain. Most of those have been dismissed, although one was resolved when Palin agreed to reimburse the state more than $8,000 for the costs associated with nine trips taken with her children.
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What ever happened to the concept of avoiding the appearance of impropriety? It seems an unknown concept to Bible Spice.
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