Report: Monegan contradicts Palin account

JUNEAU, Alaska, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The office of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the target of an investigation involving the firing of the state's top public safety official, authorities said.

Walt Monegan, fired in July as Public Safety Commissioner, told The Washington Post Friday that Palin repeatedly talked with him about her ex-brother-in-law, Michael Wooten, after Monegan was named commissioner in December 2006. Monegan said the governor's husband, Todd Palin, gave him a dossier containing information about Wooten, a state trooper who engaged in a child-custody battle with Palin's sister.

Monegan also said Gov. Palin sent him e-mails on the matter, the Post said.

The governor has said her decision to release Monegan in July had nothing to do with his refusal to fire Wooten. In an interview with CNBC Aug. 1, she said it is "a governor's prerogative, a right" to choose cabinet members.

Sarah Palin at first said neither she nor anyone in her administration pressured Monegan to fire Wooten, but she disclosed this month that Boards and Commissions Director Frank Bailey -- in a February phone call to a state trooper lieutenant -- outlined complaints against Wooten and indicated the governor and her husband wondered why Wooten was still on the force.

The governor said the call could be perceived as her office pressuring the Public Safety Department but said that wasn't the case, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported.

Palin's office last week announced Bailey was relieved of his duties, pending a legislative investigation. Before the legislative probe, however, the governor directed the Department of Law to conduct its own inquiry.

"Obviously the governor is not happy with that phone call but we don't know what the investigation is going to show in total," said Palin spokesman Bill McAllister.

Palin has said she was shocked to learn of the call, adding it was "absolutely inappropriate that he appeared to be representing me."