Alaska, July 22: A new report says that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may have “used or attempted to use her official position” to violate ethics laws by accepting private donations.
The report obtained by the Associated Press said the former Republican vice presidential candidate probably received the donations to clear her legal debts.
This is the latest legal controversy to befall the governor as she prepares to leave office this week.
Earlier this month, in a surprise move, Palin declared that she would step down as governor.
Supporters of Palin created a fund in April to help her pay off debts.
However, now an investigator for the state Personnel Board collected evidence in his July 14 report that Palin received unwarranted benefits and improper gifts through the Alaska Fund Trust.
“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 trust as the “official” legal defense fund,” the report said.
Palin, who owed more than $500,000 in legal fees, acknowledged that the rising toll of the ethics probes was one of the reasons forcing her to leave office.
“It’s an absolute shame that she would continue to keep the Alaska Fund Trust Web site up and running,” said Kim Chatman, the Eagle River resident who filed the ethics complaint.
—–Agencies