Palin honesty questioned in probe

JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A fired Alaskan Public Safety Commissioner says Gov. Sarah Palin isn't being truthful about the subject of a state senate committee investigation.

His dismissal was tied directly to his refusal to fire the governor's former brother-in law, a state trooper, Walt Monegan told ABC News "Nightline" Wednesday, shortly after Palin's acceptance of a nomination to be the Republican Party canddiate for vice president.

"I believe I was fired because of, primarily the reason of her former brother-in-law," Monegan said. "I think that my unwillingness to take special action against her former brother-in-law was not well received."

Palin has repeatedly denied the allegation, although she acknowledged that her office contacted Monegan and other Alaskan officials on the matter.

"I think there are some questions now that, coming to light about how transparent and how honest she wants to be," Monegan said.

"You should never use your public office to settle a private score," said State Sen. Hollis French, D-Anchorage, who heads a committee looking into the issue. "And that's what the legislature is looking into, to what degree did the governor's personal family relationship inject or get introduced into her work as governor."