Maverick Palin Maverickly Violates Ethics

Rules and regulations are not meant for mavericks.

A report by an independent prosecutor around Troopergate was released yesterday and contains the statement: "I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110 (a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act."

Just in case you're wondering what 39.42.110(a) says:

(39.42.110 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. In addition, the legislature finds that, so long as it does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge of an officer's public duties and responsibilities, this chapter does not prevent an officer from following other independent pursuits. The legislature further recognizes that

1. in a representative democracy, the representatives are drawn from society and, therefore, cannot and should not be without personal and financial interests in the decisions and policies of government;
2. people who serve as public officers retain their rights to interests of a personal or financial nature; and
3. standards of ethical conduct for members of the executive branch need to distinguish between those minor and inconsequential conflicts that are unavoidable in a free society, and those conflicts of interests that are substantial and material.
   

John McCain was looking for more press:

• Washington Post - Probe Finds Palin Abused Power in Case of Trooper
• New York Times - Alaska Inquiry Concludes Palin Abused Powers
• LA Times - Palin ethics lapse cited
• USA Today - Report stings Palin over Troopergate flap
• Wall Street Journal - Alaska Probe Says Palin Abused Her Authority

But don't worry.  Before the official report was released, the McCain camp absolved their Maverick of all guilt.  

Surprisingly, you have to search quite a bit to find the link on the drudgereport.