Alaska, Oct 11 (ANI): A legislative panel has reportedly found that Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin had "abused her power" as Alaska Governor in firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan because of a "family grudge".

The panel of state lawmakers released its report on Friday after spending more than six hours in a closed-door session reviewing the findings.

The report running into 300 pages, however, does not recommend sanctions or a criminal investigation, reported foxnews.com.

Palin's supporters have, meanwhile, rebutted the panel's finding, saying it was "politically motivated" as elections were approaching.

At the heart of the investigation was the question of whether Sarah had pressured Monegan to fire her former brother-in-law, a state trooper, after a contentious divorce. Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in the bipartisan panel's report, found Palin in "violation" of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

Palin has said Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute. "I feel vindicated. It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And, that tells me I'm not totally out in left field," Monegan said.

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 any embarrassment and to put aside an enduring distraction as she campaigns as McCain's running mate in an uphill contest against Democrat Barack Obama.

But, the panel of lawmakers voted to release the report, although not without dissension. "I think there are some problems in this report. I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye," said Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens, a member of the panel. (ANI)

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