New Frivolous Ethics Complaint Filed Against Governor Palin
Anti-Palin blogger Geoffrey Dunn at the Huffington Post:
In the wake of Governor Palin stepping down from her job, new allegations have surfaced today in Alaska charging Palin with additional violations of the Alaska Executive Ethics Act.
Zane Henning -- a conservative government watchdog from the governor's hometown of Wasilla and an oilfield worker on Alaska's North Slope -- asserts in a letter to Alaska Attorney General Daniel S. Sullivan that Palin has "been charging and pocketing per diem to live in her home and has used the process for a personal gain since being elected."
Please note that, true to form, Henning published his frivolous complaint in a press release, violating the confidentiality provisions of the Executive Ethics Act.
We have previously debunked the bogus per diem claims here and here.
UPDATE: For those who may have forgotten, Henning was the same guy who filed an ethics complaint against the Governor for doing an interview in her office. It was tossed out, of course.
Posts
122 comments:
Is this the guy with the crazy wife?
Some critters never change.
new poll on O'reilly about palin need to vote now. Results should be shown at end of show.
http://www.billoreilly.com/
This works in Sarah's favor - it is easily debunked - and it once again explains to the MSM (who can't seem to understand) why she has to leave office.
Perfect timing for Sarah. Her ennemies are starting to become her friends!
Related:
"If Palin decides to make an example of [Shannyn} Moore and files a suit against her, by the time the blogger finishes trying to defend herself, even if Palin does not get a judgement against her, the costs can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars."
http://www.examiner.com/x-2547-Watchdog-Politics-Examiner~y2009m7d6-Palin-defamation-suit-could-cost-Moore-thousands-in-legal-fees
File, Sarah, file!
- JP
Have we not already had this one...this has to be a joke...this proves her point...wonder how many more we will see before she leaves...
It wouldn’t surprise me if the ankle bitters try to hit the Governor up with quite a few more ethics complaints before she steps down at the end of the month. It’s going to be a rough few weeks I fear.
In a way I hope these clowns do start filing a string of ethics complaints against Sarah before she leaves office. That would do nothing but confirm to people that she made the right decision and that the ethics complaint process in AK needs serious revamping.
WOW, see, this is Sarah's point, these Dems have absolutely NO life, so damn sad isn't it. They try to bring her down and it just won't work. She is more popular now then ever. I hope Sarah sues this idiot right back. All these ethics complaints are doing is PROVING Sarah's point
They're both crazy, Henning and his deranged wife. Henning claims he is a conservative but is really an Obama loving moron. His lips are permanently sewn to his "massah" Obama's a**.
They've filed so many complaints, they lost track of which ones have already been rejected!
CD is getting ready to file one on jacket/logo again.......sad.
Seriously? Way to prove the Guv's whole point guys.
Hasn't Axelrod sent these aholes a new script? That per diem thing was cleared up a few months ago. Henning and Dunn wouldn't even make good bookends.
Great. You are so right. It just proves that Sarah has made the right decision.
Didn't they already issue an ethics complaint over the per diem?
They will probaly be more. This is nonsense.
Ann Coulter just mentioned the new complaint on Hannity.
Hannity calls the MSM's predictions about Palin's lack of a future in politics "laughable and meaningless." Derp.
Hitler bunker mode. It's over .
Come on guys.. this surprises you how? I knew this was going to happen... how freaking sad and repugnant of people.
i love ann coulter!! she can smack down both the Rinos and libs with a smile in her face just like the guv
Coulter was great!
These dumb liberals filed another complaint proving Sarah's point. What a bunch of dumb asses on the left.
I'm sorry for the language, however I never seen such derangement until Sarah came to the scene.
This only helps her and provides certifiable proof that these clowns are certifiably crazy.
upinak:
This doesn't surprise me at all. I wouldn't be surprised to see ten complaints filed before Palin left office. Maybe I'm a bit surprised at how stupid her enemies up there are because they're making her case for her.
A "conservative" file this complaint?
linda no way in hell.
QED!!!
Jesus. The galactic, head-banging stupidity of it all.
All this does is prove Palin's point, not only to the Alaskan citizenry but to the larger electorate.
These are people who don't understand that the train has left the station.
Okay, you know what? Love Alaska because the Gov says it's okay, but there are some serious babies up there. I know it's only 50 years old, but it's time to grow up and put your big boy pants on.
You think Hot Air will report on another ethics complaint being charged?? Probably not.
I hope Parnell keeps a low profile so he doesn't get sucked into this garbage. And you guys need to change your ethics process so that nothing like this can happen again.
uffda.. huh?
Sarah's lawyer needs to issue a public letter saying that from this date forward, any individual filing an ethics complaint that is subsequently found to have no merit will be personally sued for malicious persecution and harrassment. As per Josh's point, even if Sarah doesn't win an award, the defendant of the suit will have to incur substantial legal fees to defend themselves.
A bit OT, but I love S.E. Cupp (Hannity tonight)
posted for comments
Parkinson's Law
Upinak, I don't blame AKns for this stupid frivolous ethics complaint nonsense. I'm pretty sure it's that "progressives" are just so terribly, terribly lonely up there.
Brianus: I was also about to comment on how I like S.E. Cupp. Too bad the woman in purple barely let her get a word in edgewise. :)
I haven't commented much on the whole ethics complaint situation because they have been so ridiculous, but this is beyond ridiculous and is utterly stupid!!!
Until I began following C4P a few months ago I thought the greatest state ethics ridiculousness was the fact that former Gov. Blagojevich had mandatory ethics training for us state university and state employees (we even got a certificate with his printed signature!). But this is beyond even the craziness of Blagojevich!!!
Do people have no shame?
upinak,
which "huh"?
(sorry, I just need to take a shower after reading some of your news sites up there. What haters)
I just got the tail end of seeing S.E. Cupp, but her writing is great!!
As a fellow twentysomething blue state conservative, I absolutely loved her book, Why You're Wrong about the Right!
S.E. did manage to get in at the end something like, "There's probably a dozen reasons why this could work out well."
Rusty said...
will be personally sued for malicious persecution and harrassment.
===
That shouldn't be to hard to prove. All one has to do is engage Val Henning in conversation to figure out that she's bat-shit crazy.
Didn't she say that she was thinking about filling a complaint when Rocks went on Fagan's show? Sounds like the Hennings have been planning this for a while.
Uffda the first comment on the love?
upinak,
Implied "I." Fast way of saying that I think Alaska by and large is pretty cool.
Anyone else watching Hannity?
Does anyone want to punch Bob Beckel and the lawyer lady in the face?
Sorry, C4P, but I think this issue needs to be addressed in a new thread now that the renovations at the Governor's Mansion have been completed (it is done by now, isn't it?).
I don't understand, and I suspect most Alaskans don't understand, how our governors are paid.
Now that so much of our state government is not centered in Juneau, maybe there should be change in what living expenses are paid for governors and their families. Sarah may be in a lose-lose situation through no fault of her own.
Just sayin'.
Whitney,
I do
Whitney...YES!! (except I guess I was raised not to hit ladies...ah, but is she a "lady," this is the question...LOL!!--sorry, just kidding!
Dems best not forget they tread on dangerous ground here. How many liberals have famous musicians perform for their functions? Those performances should be considered multi-million dollar contributions. Of course this law doesn't apply to Ted Nugent performances. Exemption granted.
Beckel is a blowhard, and that "procecutor" woman if one vile chick!
I was proud of Sean for givin' it right back to both of them.
Tucker was pretty useless...
I usually don't get that upset, but they were being extremely disrespectful! I haven't really watched too much (only read) dissenting opinions from liberals and elites about her resignation yet, so this made me mad.
I'm ok now. :)
I can't stand Bill O'Reilly tonight
Yes, Sean was good!!!
With every right, Whitney...these "liberals" take your breath away sometimes with the depth of their hatred and ignorance. We should be used to it by now, but it can still hit us hard...we just have to fire back!
After listening to some of these "conservative" pundits and talk show hosts come down on Palin for not sticking it out and criticizing her for allowing some ethics complaints to chase her out of her position, where in the hell were these hosts when she needed them to promote her Legal Defense Fund on their shows?
Come on, Laura Ingraham. Where were you? You wanted her to stay in there and "tough it out" because now it sets a precedent for liberals to chase any conservative out of office by filing charges against them - where were you, Laura? Bill O'Reilly?
And for those pundits like Rove and others, they really couldn't reach into their pockets and help her out?
This is what galls me. They didn't lift a finger to help her and are now pissed at her for having to step down.
Rant over.
"Does anyone want to punch Bob Beckel and the lawyer lady in the face?".
Bob Beckel is a waste of oxygen. His only claim to fame is running a loosing campaign.
For those discussing whether or not Sarah should sue bloggers:
Alaska is unique among the states in providing partial reimbursement for the "prevailing party's" attorney fees and costs.
http://www.state.ak.us/courts/civ2.htm#82
Betty which you and I can agree on that it is totally and completely assinine!
After that Beckel thing I am officially in a "Grrrrrrr" mood. I'm a mellow and quite boring person. It takes alot to rile me up, but when I get riled up...
Just gotta keep reminding myself they're a waste of time. They will eventually fall into the hole that they've dug.
Hey, BettyJo, ole buddy ole Palinista Pal!
Yeah, but here's the thing: seemingly ALL the pundits----libs and conservatives!----aren't listening to what Sarah herself said, that she truly did NOT want Alaskans' tax dollars to keep having to pay for the state's addressing the ethics charges. THAT is the best, fair, and professional reason for her to leave office early.
She's a dear, isn't she, Brianus!!!!
(How is your brother? I pray he's hanging in there. God bless!)
If I watch Sean, I refuse to watch that part of his show. To me it is just too stupid and you know people on that panel are just going to rant and rave.
Okay, I'm calm again. Apparently Dick Morris thinks it was a mistake to resign too. Poor little things, they have no idea of the shift in this country. Morris and others are brilliant in politics, horrible in the real world. Sarah will show them all.
Reporter to Zane Henning: "What made you file this frivolous ethics complaint, Mr. Henning?"
"Well, I went to pick up some Country Time lemonade at the store, and as I reached for it on the shelf, I was brought up short. I had an epiphany! Hey, that Piper Palin had a lemonade stand, and I bet her mom, GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN, bought that lemonade Piper used to sell at her lemonade stand. So, I put it together, lemonade, per diem, lemonade, per diem. See? Makes sense.
The reporter nods, and thinks, "Why me? I have bigger dreams than interviewing looney tunes."
In other news: No word on the height of Mr. Henning, or his upbringing.
Surely Axelrod has moved on by now to resurrecting Levi, that shining example of chivalry and manhood.
Axelrod's slipping.
Little behind, but SE Cupp's book is outstanding! And her appearances on FNC are usually great. Can't recommend the book enough. Makes you realize you're not crazy for sticking with conservative principles.
Hi, Mountain Mama,
Unfortunately, my brother passed away on 25 June. The funeral was last week. THANK YOU for all your thoughts and prayers these many months. I posted a little eulogy on him on the open thread (I think it was) for around 27 June...if not that day, close to it (26th? 28th?--I think it was the 27th).
Again, God bless!!!
Brianus
Sean knows that when you mention "Palin" in front of hard core libs, they automatically go bat-shit crazy!
Check out their eyes.....they get real big.....they start sweatin'....all their words start runnin' together......it's GREAT!
If I know Beckel is going to be on, I always fix myself a drink beforehand.
Does Beckel have a neck?
...and yes, Sarah is precious to me, as to all of us. I just geared up with a new order last night (to cafepress) of a fresh supply of bumper stickers and buttons...plus a Sarah shirt and cap!!
Ya gotta raise the flag high here in the PRB (People's Republic of Berkeley)!!
Brianus
This new frivolous ethics complaint proves Gov.Palin's point.
Uppy, there are many state employees who drive the same stretch of highway as the governor to their jobs in Anchorage, but they don't get paid per diem. No one is reimbursing them for their gas. If Sarah could live for free in Juneau (assuming that the mansion renovations are done) she could walk to work. This is the burr under people's saddles.
I'm just saying what I think is bugging a lot of people. And I don't think it has been addressed well by her administration NOW THAT THE MANSION HAS BEEN RENOVATED. Does she continue to draw per diem when she could be working out of her office in Juneau?
I agree with Sarah in that you can hire better people if you don't make them and their families move to Juneau. So I understand why she spends so much time in Anchorage. I think it is time to "repackage" how our governors are paid now that it is unlikely any future governor will live the majority of the time there.
This isn't a breach of ethics because I know Sarah would not try to get paid for something she couldn't legitimately receive. But there has been a public relation failure to explain why she hasn't acted unethically.
LOL, Chappy!!!
Sarah can just shrug her shoulders now and say:
"See? Told ya so."
Exactly, ZH: QED!!
Oh, Brianus, I am so sorry! I didn't catch the posting of the eulogy for your brother. I will try to find it.
Ack, he went to heaven not quite two weeks ago! How are you and your family doing? Sometimes we feel relief for our loved one's release into heaven, beyond tears and pain----but we who are left behind still suffer, grieve, and mourn.
May God comfort and renew you and your loved ones.
BettyJo,
I thought I read somewhere that after the faux outrage at per diems during the campaign last year (although completely justified under Alaskan law), she stopped accepting them. Is this true or not?
I don't know, Brian D. But if she is, the administration should explain why she is entitled to receive per diem, especially since the mansion should be perfectly liveable by now.
Like I said above, Sarah may be in a lose-lose situation through no fault of her own.
BettyJo is the only person who has been on thread in this discussion. Why are you all pulling ad hominem statements? It would be nice to have a real political discussion.
The critics are missing the point on Sarah resigning. She didn't resign because of the ethics complaint. She resigned for these reasons.
1. The ethics complaints would eventually cost her millions of dollars. As they would just continue.
2. The ethics complaints was costing the state millions of dollars. Would just keep costing it more money.
3. It was bogging her down and making her unable to govern the way she wanted to.
4. The abuse her children were taking had to be wearing on Gov. Palin. She is a mom first.
No one is focusing on the National media's constant attacks on Gov. Palin even after the election. Was just relentless. Especially for a Governor. If she fought back than they would say she was worried about her national ambitions. Sarah was getting the attention of a President and attacked more than even Bush was by the MSM. Now in 3 weeks she can really fight back without worrying.
Betty I really do not think the juneau house is totally done. Ever had to repipe a building... talk about a headache and a migraine and even that is easy to deal with. I think there are still some "stuff" but it is in the final stages.
I don't know why people all get in a fuss about Palin concerning where she lives and what "other" State employees bitch about.
If you know some of the employees like I do, you know nothing EVER makes them happy. And that is a problem as well as I can't stand people who just sit on their butts and whine about their job. If they don't like it MOVE! But that is a pet peev of mine.
I also remember Sarah stopped taking per diem after the BS concerning it. So she has not been receiving it for quite some time.
tbone.. wrong. Many of us here commenting as well as the editors for C4P have ALL sited the media on numerous occations.
Thanks for playing.
Thank you, Mountain Mama. I think I am still rather numb. Coming just two years after our mother's death, this has been hard to accept.
God bless you always!!
Brianus
In the future Alaska needs to change the ethics law. The person filing the complaint can't make it public. If they do it gets tossed out. If the person filing it loses they pay. It should only be used for real breaches of ethics laws. Not for carrying a fish or wearing a jacket. That would stop that kind of nonsense.
tbone..
for the love of God. I am working with some of legislators and some others to change them.
What you don't see is all behind the curtain... were the OZ is.
upinak,
I am not talking about defenders of Palin. Just talking about her critics.
The capital is not in Juneau.
JeanA... it isn't??????
You sure????
The new ethics complaint is the ammo for Gov. Palin to step down effective immediately. Have Lt. Gov. Parrnell become acting Gov. and be sworn in at the end of the month.
Can you just imagine working some place where you know your every e-mail might be the subject of an ethics complaint. Not just Sarah, but all the other employees she has to contact during a working day. And, those employees that have to respond back to her via e-mail. I think that is just beyond the pale.
That is what CD was going to burden the Gov. and employees with if and when she filed her
newest complaint. I bet she is staying up nights trying to read all those e-mails so she can get her complaints filed before Sarah resigns.
If I was in charge, I would just place those newest complaints in a special box and not process them until after Sarah has left. Then surely the Personnel Board would void them.
vote on this Palin poll....
SPREAD THE WORD!!!
http://www.loudobbs.com/
Here's the story on per diem: All state employees get per diem if they work more than 50 miles from their duty station. Palin's duty station is Juneau. If she is assigned by her boss to another location more than 50 miles from Juneau, she's entitled to collect. Who's Sarah's boss? Sarah.
Why doesn't she spend the whole year in Juneau? Because 270 days a year, there is nothing going on there.
She is well within her legal and ethical rights to collect per diem and so is Parnell up until the law is changed and the Governor is required to live in Juneau.
Knowles couldn't do this ...... because he leased out his home for 8 years for big bucks. He had a suite at the Hilton.
Murkowksi couldn't do this, either......he didn't have a home in Alaska. The state rented an apartment for him in Anchorage.
John that is the problem. She is 50 miles out... per some people.
But either way she stopped taking the Per Diem even if she was able too.
JohnDoe said: "Why doesn't she spend the whole year in Juneau? Because 270 days a year, there is nothing going on there."
And to play Devil's Advocate, nothing is going on down there because Sarah moved a lot of government out of Juneau. I'm not saying it was wrong to do (in fact, I agree with Sarah that we should move as much government out of Juneau as possible), but you have to admit that at least to the Palin haters, there is a twinge of bootstrapping going on.
BettyJoBialowski-
As if an Alaskan who supports Gov Palin 110% gives a hoot what "Palin-haters" think...
Why do YOU care what the 'haters' think Betty?
In the future Alaska needs to
TBone said:
change the ethics law. The person filing the complaint can't make it public. If they do it gets tossed out. If the person filing it loses they pay. It should only be used for real breaches of ethics laws. Not for carrying a fish or wearing a jacket. That would stop that kind of nonsense.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Won't happen until Sarah is gone. Wouldn't be surprised if it takes until a Democrat takes office.
The critics are so venemous, they'll probably issue complaints with Sarah's replacement.
Huskers,
I wouldn't put it past them to file on Parnell. Poor guy. What a wacky situation. These people are either being very well paid or they're certifiably insane. Possibly both.
Kudos to Sarah for getting out of that jungle.
Kenton. Re-read the posts I have made in this thread. Palin's PR people have not done a good job in explaining to Alaskans why Sarah has every right to claim per diem pay. That is my main point. Why would Sarah want that idea to fester among Alaskans if it can be easily dispelled?
And C4P's links don't really help either because they center on the mansion renovation. From JohnDoe's posts, it sounds like Sarah would get per diem even when the renovation is completed.
I watched Hannity until that group came on...can't stand Beckel and always leave when he comes on.
If I were Sarah I wouldn't spend a dime answering this or any other complaint from last Friday on out.
BettyJo, "Capital Creep" to Anchorage has been going on for years.
Upinak, a state employee only has one duty station so Palin is either assigned to Juneau and collects per diem when she is working in Anchorage or she is assigned to Anchorage and collects when she is in Juneau.
This same kind of thing happens in Fairbanks - you have equipment operators who are assigned to work on the Haul Road but live in Fairbanks. They don't get per diem when they work at their normal job 200 miles from home - but they do collect when their boss has them working at the Fairbanks yard even though they are sleeping in their own beds.
OT
You are not going to believe this but there are 2 great articles in the ADN.
One absolutely ripping Moore
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/142241
One supporting the Governors decision
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/142223
Beehive,
two awesome articles on the Gov by ADN, really tops.
the 2nd article had 6 really negative comments, I was going to jump into the fray but didn't feel like registering.
I wonder if Andrea Mitchell is staying at her house while she's in town.
You're right, JohnDoe. But it is my understanding that Sarah speeded up the creep. I remember reading an article about how all the other former governors required their commissioners to live in Juneau, but Sarah didn't.
In Texas, as I assume in other jurisdictions, we have the ability to have a court declare certain persons "vexatious litigants". Perhaps that would be an excellent addition to the Alaska ethics code. Something perhaps along the lines of "serial liar".
upinak are you still there...did not this come up at her request and it was legal but she had to pay tax on it...if you are there I need to put something OT I want you to read I had to write a loving thing for a friend who is getting married she is 73 he 69...but I have not felt to loving of late...just want to see it it sounds ok...
Bill
I can't even stand to be at the ADN longer than a minute or two.
And I definitely gave up months ago trying to comment there.
Oh well, in a few short weeks I have a feeling the ADN will see a sharp decline in hits to their page.
ahahahahaha
Charles,
Good idea.
Betty no Murkowski let the commissioners stay in Anchorage. Especially the Oil Team.. who quit.
Gams... email me what you go hun.
It is sent
BettyJo-
I apologize.
I re-read your previous threads and now understand where you were going with your comments.
Another frivolous ethics complaint?
Those ankle biters are barking up the wrong tree. Go get 'em, Sarah! You're liberated!
You hear Moore go to Shannyn Moore on Countdown with Keith Olbermann TONIGHT!
http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/
she is still talking about the runors
Before Moore was warned about the lawsuit, she wanted to blow this rumor so big (even if it was an old rumor).
Funny how these haters never mentioned that if Palin were to have stayed until the end of the next year she'll be looking at probably $2 million or more legal fees to defend frivolous ethics charges.
LindaW:
Tell that to Lars Larson. He's continually going off about how people are stupid for believing in someone who, in his words, doesn't explain why the Governor stepped down from her position.
Could someone tell me what happens to open ethics complaints once Palin officially leaves office?
Could someone tell me what happens to open ethics complaints once Palin officially leaves office?
Half of these people couldn't tell you where Barrow is, much less explain a situation that has no legal precedence.
My guess is they will be investigated appropriately, I suppose I could go look it up to say for sure, but I don't feel like it.
This might be a question for Tim, he's knowledgeable enough on Alaskan issues.
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