Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) claims a state trooper who was married to her younger sister "continued to disparage Natives in words and tone" in an e-mail to the state's first Alaska Native public safety commissioner.

The e-mail is one of two messages sent to former commissioner Walt Monegan, who was abruptly fired in July. Monegan believes they are evidence that Palin fired him because he refused to take action against the state trooper.

"I would willingly die for the governor, but I would never lie for her," Monegan told The Washington Post.

Palin has denied any wrongdoing but her husband, Todd, who is also Native, and members of her administration repeatedly pressed Monegan to do something about the trooper. In the e-mails, Palin urges Monegan to support legislation related to law enforcement and firearms and brings up her sister's former husband by name.

The Alaska Legislature is investigating Monegan's dismissal.

Get the Story:
Palin E-Mails Show Intense Interest in Trooper's Penalty (The Washington Post 9/4)
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Palin Comes Out Fighting (The Washington Post 9/4)

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