Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded.
The politically charged inquiry imperils her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican presidential ticket.
Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials using their office for personal gain.
The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce from the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.
The panel found Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed. "I feel vindicated," Monegan said. "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."
Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.
Palin and McCain's supporters had hoped the inquiry's finding would be delayed until after the presidential election to spare her embarrassment as she campaigns for the vice-presidency.
But the panel voted to release the report, although not without dissent.
"I think there are some problems in this report," said Republican state Senator Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."
The nearly 300-page report does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation.
