Walt Monegan, the state of Alaska's former commissioner of public safety, said pressure from Gov. Sarah Palin (R) led to his unexpected firing.

Monegan, who is Alaska Native, said members of Palin's administration and her family repeatedly asked him about state trooper Mike Wooten, who was married to Palin's sister. He said the governor's husband -- Todd Palin, who is also Native -- talked to him several times, though Palin denies any wrongdoing.

"I know I've never told him to fire trooper Wooten," Todd Palin told The Anchorage Daily News.

Mohegan said the governor even brought up the subject briefly."I told her I needed to keep her at arm's distance and she shouldn't be involved," he said.

Get the Story:
Monegan says he was pressured to fire cop (The Anchorage Daily News 7/19)
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Editorial: After Monegan (The Anchorage Daily News 7/19)
Palin: Appointees should 'diplomatically' leave when dismissed (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 7/20)

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Alaska governor defends firing of Native top cop (7/18)
First Alaska Native public safety official fired (7/14)