Palin subject of new ethics complaint over children's travel John Byrne

Published: Wednesday October 29, 2008





Print This Email This Governor Sarah Palin is the subject of a new ethics complaint, according to a new document obtained by CBS News.



This time, she's being questioned for charging the state for her children's travel expenses.



The complaint, filed last Friday by a retired lineman in Anchorage, accuses her of Misuse of Official Position: "Gov. Palin attempted to and in fact did use her official position for personal gain by securing unwarranted benefits for her daughters..." All allegations are related to state reimbursed travel.



Palin recently escaped legal liability for her husband's efforts to have the state's public safety director fired, though the investigating committee rebuked her ethics.



"Palin ran on the platform of ethics, transparency and anti-corruption. I'm tired of the hypocrisy that exists in Government and people need to know the truth," Frank Gwartney, the ex-lineman, told CBS.



All ethics complaints filed against the governor in Alaska are confidential. The state's attorney general refused to confirm or deny the filing to the network.



Palin's three daughters have accrued $32,629 travel expenses, while her husband has booked another $22,174. In sum, the travel reimbursements to Palin's family have totaled $54,803.



Palin's spokesman said the governor followed state policy.



"Governor Palin followed state policy allowing governors to charge for their children's travel and there's also the expectation that the first family participate in community activities across the state," spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said.



Read more at CBS News .





