Palin denies she abused power

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said Saturday she did not abuse her position as Alaska governor as alleged by a state investigator.

Speaking from the campaign trail in Pittsburgh, Palin said she did nothing "unlawful or unethical" when she fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan despite allegations in an investigative report, CNN reported.

"If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a Cabinet member," Palin said. "You got to read the report."

The report presented to the bipartisan Alaskan Legislative Council Friday by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower accused Palin of violating a state ethics law.

The report alleged Palin fired Monegan after he refused to fire her former brother-in-law from the state police force.

"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report alleged.

CNN said attorneys representing Palin contend such violations are only applicable to financial motives.