Levi Johnston: Palin wants to make money

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 10 (UPI) -- Levi Johnston, the teenage father of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's grandson, says she quit to cash in on her celebrity and spend more time with her family.

Johnston, 19, spoke to reporters from several news organizations Thursday at a session arranged by his lawyer, the Anchorage Daily News reported. He described statements Palin allegedly made while he was still engaged to her daughter, Bristol.

Palin "had talked about how nice it would be to take some of this money people have been offering us and just run with it, and saying forget everything else," Johnston said. He suggested she was talking about "books, talk shows, whatever."

He described the governor as hardworking.

"I've seen how stressful this job was for her and she came home late at night and things like that," Johnston said.

Johnston and Palin have traded barbs since the breakup with her daughter, and his interview appears likely to add fuel to the fire.

"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," said Meghan Stapleton, Palin's spokeswoman.