Troopers file ethics claim against Palin

JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The union that represents Alaska state troopers has filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, NBC News said.

The complaint, filed Wednesday, requested an investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing in the matter of Michael Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law. Palin and members of her administration allegedly pressured former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire Wooten, and Palin fired Monegan after he refused.

The complaint filed Wednesday alleges Palin or members of her staff may have improperly disclosed parts of Wooten's personnel file.

"It seems obvious to us somebody has improperly accessed (Wooten's) personnel file." Alaska Public Safety Employees Association Executive Director John Cyr told NBC.

The McCain-Palin campaign told NBC the files were not protected and a campaign source said Wooten once signed a waiver to allow a divorce lawyer access to his personnel records.

Monegan Wednesday told ABC's "Nightline" Palin has been untruthful in her public statements on the issue.

"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."

The Alaska Legislature has authorized an investigation into the firing of Monegan.