Palin ethics probe broadened

JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- An Alaska state investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin includes more ethics complaints than just those of the "Troopergate" probe, state documents show.

In the recently concluded Troopergate investigation, the Alaska state Legislature concluded that Palin, the Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee, was within her rights to fire state Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, but abused her power and violated ethics in joining her husband to push for the firing of state trooper Mike Wooten, who was once married to the governor's sister.

With that probe concluded, attention is now turning to the official state Personnel Board investigation of Palin's firing of Monegan. The Anchorage Daily News reported Tuesday letters sent by investigator Tim Petumenos to local attorneys indicate his inquiry has broadened to include other ethics complaints against Palin.

The newspaper said there are two known additional ethics complaints against the nominee. One is from an activist who says hiring practices were circumvented for a Palin supporter, and another in which the Alaska state police union claims Wooten's personnel file was illegally breached by state officials.

John Cyr, the union's executive director, told the Daily News he plans to amend the complaint to include "harassment" of Wooten as well.