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Sarah Palin Broke The Ethics Law In Alaska, And Is Subject To Impeachment And Removal From Office If The State Legislature Chooses To Do So
I might be wrong, but this is the way I read the facts, the law, and the Alaska state constitution.
The Recently-Released Report Says:
"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda, to wit: To get Trooper Michael Wooten fired,"
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXKt37HYgjK4&refer=home
Note: The report uses the vague term "personal agenda" rather than the more precise term "personal interest," which is a specific violation of state law.
But it seems to me that the "personal agenda" of firing Trooper Michael Wooten is exactly the same thing as a "personal interest" in firing Trooper Michael Wooten. And this makes her "impermissible pressure" an actual violation of Alaska state law, not merely an improper thing to do.
It appears to me that she violated both Sec. 39.52.110 (Scope of code) and Sec. 39.52.120. (Misuse of official position)
The State Law Says:
(Please note the precise term "personal or financial interest")
Article 02. CODE OF ETHICS
Sec. 39.52.110. Scope of code.
(a) 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. (more)
and . . .
Sec. 39.52.120. Misuse of official position. (b) A public officer may not (3) use state time, property, equipment, or other facilities to benefit personal or financial interests; (4) take or withhold official action in order to affect a matter in which the public officer has a personal or financial interest; (5) attempt to benefit a personal or financial interest through coercion of a subordinate or require another public officer to perform services for the private benefit of the public officer at any time; (more)
Source: http://www.law.state.ak.us/pdf/ethics/ethicstatutes.pdf
The Alaska Constitution Says:
Section 2.20 - Impeachment.
All civil officers of the State are subject to impeachment by the legislature. Impeachment shall originate in the senate and must be approved by a two-thirds vote of its members. The motion for impeachment shall list fully the basis for the proceeding. Trial on impeachment shall be conducted by the house of representatives. A supreme court justice designated by the court shall preside at the trial. Concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the house is required for a judgment of impeachment. The judgment may not extend beyond removal from office, but shall not prevent proceedings in the courts on the same or related charges.
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