Troopergate usually refers to the investigation of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, allegedly because he refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten.San Francisco Chronicle: Alaska investigator to release Troopergate report (November 3, 2008) Palin was cleared of ethics charges by an investigation by Alaska Personnel Board released on November 3, 2008, one day before the 2008 election. A separate ethics report ordered by Alaska Legislature earlier in the year found Palin guilty of having abused her power.Juneau Empire: Report: Palin abused power (October 12, 2008)
Spitzer Troopergate
Troopergate is also the name of a scandal within the administration of Democratic governor New York, Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer was alleged to have sent State Police troopers to spy on his arch-rival, New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. Before the allegations could be investigated fully, Spitzer was involved in another scandal, this time as a client of the Emperors Club VIP prostitution ring. Spitzer resigned on March 12, 2008.
References
Fast Facts
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The ethics report ordered by Alaska Legislature found Palin guilty of having abused her power as governorJuneau Empire: Report: Palin abused power (October 12, 2008)
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A second investigation, ordered by Palin and conducted by the Alaska Personnel Board, cleared her of the charges
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