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Palin Discusses 'Troopergate' Role During Deposition

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The Associated Press

Published: October 25, 2008

ST. LOUIS - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin met with an independent investigator Friday to testify about allegations she abused her powers during a long-running personnel controversy that has now distracted from her Republican vice presidential campaign.

Palin waved but did not speak to reporters when she arrived at a Missouri hotel for her deposition, scheduled to last two hours before a lawyer from the Alaska Personnel Board. The board is investigating whether Palin abused her powers by firing her public safety commissioner.

The commissioner claims he was dismissed because he refused to fire Palin's former brother-in-law, a state trooper involved in a messy divorce with Palin's sister.

The scandal, known as "Troopergate," took on national significance after John McCain selected Palin as his running mate.

A legislative investigation found that Palin had the right to fire the commissioner, Walter Monegan. But the report found that Palin violated state ethics laws by trying to get her former family member kicked off the force.

Palin and her husband, Todd, say the trooper, Mike Wooten, was unstable and had made threats against their family.
Sarah Palin was not subpoenaed in that investigation. Friday was to be the first time she spoke at length or under oath about the controversy. She and her husband were to give separate depositions Friday before independent investigator Timothy Petumenos.

Although the legislative report issued a stinging rebuke of Palin's conduct, it carried no penalty. It's up to the personnel board to decide whether Palin violated the law.

She filed a complaint against herself to launch the investigation after accusing the legislative inquiry of becoming partisan. Unlike the Legislature, the personnel board is run by officials that Palin can fire but only for cause.

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