Palin abused her power.

Gov. Sarah Palin has been implicated by the Alaska state legislature for an "abuse of power" wherein her office was used "in a crusade against the officer".

"Governor Palin knowingly permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda, to wit: to get Trooper Michael Wooten fired," concluded investigator Steve Branchflower in his report made public Friday.

The committee voted 12-0 for release of the report on Friday.  Since then, slings and arrows have been flying from Palin's attorneys and from Branchflower.  Palin's attorneys have accused Branchflower of "using the probe in a partisan attempt to 'smear the governor by innuendo.'"

But the report also stated that Gov. Palin did not unlawfully fire her public safety commissioner, Wall Monegan.  Other factors were involved, such as Palin's bias towards Whooten.  

The implication of Gov. Palin does not punish her for the deeds she is accused of.  Instead, the attorney general or legislative branch of Alaska will impose sentencing upon her that could include a monetary fine.  However, all of this will not come to fruition until long after the general elections are held.  This would be in January when the Alaska legislature reconvenes.

Gov. Palin's spokesman did issue a statement saying the investigation "vindicated the governor by finding that she acted within her constitutional authority to remove 'at-will' employees," and that findings of the ethics-law violations "required speculation and assumptions" that "could not be supported solely on the basis of the evidence."

The backlash of this negative spotlight could further hinder Sen. McCain's bid for the White House.  In the next week it will be interesting to see how, and if, the Obama camp uses this to a strategic advantage.  The message that Republicans have been running about Obama's unethical involvement in the "Chicago machine" of corrupt politicians and donors could be called into question with this accusation of ethical violations by Gov. Palin.