Investigator: Palin not unethical in DOT case
Published Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — A state investigator found no substance to an ethics complaint lodged against Gov. Sarah Palin but recommended ethics training for one person in her administration.
The complaint questioned whether Palin or members of her administration bent the rules to help Tom Lamal, a political supporter, get hired for a Fairbanks-area Department of Transportation job.
Andrée McLeod of Anchorage lodged the complaint in early August. She alleged Palin and others unduly influenced the hiring of Lamal as a DOT Northern Region right-of-way agent.
According to investigator Timothy Petumenos’ report, Lamal was DOT’s top pick for the state job but fell short of some requirements. Meanwhile, DOT was updating those requirements. Once that process was complete, Lamal was hired. The investigator found there was no improper influence brought to bear upon DOT and other state decision-makers in the Lamal case.
Petumenos wrote in his report that some e-mails from Palin appointee Frank Bailey to others in state government were “troubling” and suggested he receive training in ethics and personnel matters. Bailey is director of boards and commissions.
The October report was issued in conjunction with a more-prominent judgment on allegations that Palin acted improperly in pressuring former state top cop Walt Monegan to fire Trooper Mike Wooten.
Palin, her husband, Todd Palin, and others in her administration were vindicated of wrongdoing in Petumenos’ report on the so-called Troopergate matter. Those findings contrasted with those of a legislative investigation that found Palin did apply pressure to get Wooten fired.
Palin had asked that the complaint be heard by the state personnel board rather than the Legislature. The personnel board retained Petumenos as an independent investigator to weed through the allegations.
“We are pleased, although not surprised, that the personnel board vindicated our office in this matter,” Palin spokesperson Sharon Leighow said in an e-mailed statement. She confirmed that after a five-week leave of absence in conjunction with the Troopgate investigation, Bailey is back at work as director of boards and commissions.
McLeod, a former state employee and now an ethics watchdog, said she was disappointed by the investigator’s findings.
“What can you do, you know?” she asked. “This report, along with the Troopergate report, it speaks volumes about the state of our government right now. We have a culture of corruption.”
She came across the e-mails during a review of materials produced through a formal records request.
“It looked like there had been some political pressure being applied to a classified recruitment,” McLeod explained. “That violates the personnel laws as well as the ethics law. To me, it was as clear as day.”
Ethics complaints are usually confidential, but McLeod publicized her allegations, said Judy Bockman with the state Department of Law.
Leighow acknowledged that the complaints are interfering with state business.
“Unfortunately, this is the sort of sideshow that has dominated media coverage in recent months, distracting Alaskans from more substantive matters in state government,” Leighow said. “We expect we will have to continue to deal with frivolous accusations.”
McLeod, meanwhile, said she’ll keep an eye on the governor’s office.
“It seems that the legislators aren’t providing the checks and balances,” she said. “It seems the media are not providing the checks and balances. And since no one else, except for a few people, are interested in holding this governor accountable ... citizens like me are going to have to do it.”
Another ethics complaint has been filed against Palin, questioning whether she can bill the state for having her children travel with her.
Contact staff writer Rena Delbridge at 459-7518.
Community Discussion
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Give it up McLeod, your guy won.
Thank you DNM.
McLeod, you are now a former employee. Was working for the state that bad an experience that you should spend the rest of your life trying to stir the pot?! Get on with your life woman! There's a big world out there, with stuff that's fun to do! REALLY! Sounds like you could use some fun.
McLeod, get a life, you are a sick puppy, get help...
All you watchdogs need to get a life!!! People like "Myload" just like seeing their names in the paper at the expense of others.
This shows how devious the democrats are, pointing out Sarah's alleged misdeeds, while deep down, knowing Obama is the deviant.
Right or wrong, I respect the effort of Andree McLeod. It takes courage and conviction to stand against the mindset of the populous and openly question the actions of our leaders.
Everyone's corrupt and wrong according to Andrée McLeod. That's just too funny.
What a waste of our time.
goldstreamer - could you please change your name? It's giving the good folks out here in the valley a bad name. Call yourself "ican'tbelievethedemswon" or "bitterandlonelyneocon" or "oldandcrotchety" or "ilovesarah" or "ihateobama" or "liverepublicanordie" or "ihavemetthediveviantanditisme" or... ANYTHING but a moniker that identifies the area of Fairbanks that I live in... please! Folks are going to think we're all crazy out here!
what is a diveviant?
krissy, you don't speak for all of Fairbanks, you speak for the minority of folks here. Maybe you should change your name to totalfoolwithnoclue, or leftwingbimbo, or idon'tknowadamnthingaboutthepeoplewhereilive.
Same investigator, same conclusion....a surprise?????
jroosterdude, I encourage you to check out the election results from the Goldstream precincts. You'll find that they are, to put it mildly, a bit left-leaning. So krissy is right about the Goldstream area in general; however, that doesn't mean goldstreamer01 doesn't have the right to express his opinions.
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