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Politics | 01/05/2009 12:00 pm

Mother Johnston's Drug Bust Pains Palin

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

A grandson’s not the only new thing in Sarah Palin’s life! She may also have a new political scandal brewing.

An Alaska investigator and the union representing Alaska State Troopers claim there was some political meddling in the drug investigation of Sherry Johnston, the mother of Bristol Palin’s fiancé, Levi. The couple had a baby boy, Tripp, last month.

Mrs. Johnston was busted December 18 for six drug-related felony counts, including a "second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance," which can mean manufacturing or distributing drugs. She’s charged with selling the prescription painkiller OxyContin, but is out on bail and due in court this week.

Though investigators have been eyeing Johnston for some time, investigator Kyle Young insists the case "became anything but normal" after they realized Johnston’s connection to Palin, who was running for vice president at the time.

According to Young, the warrant for Johnston’s arrest was delayed because of the November general election.

John Cyr, executive director of the union, told the Anchorage Daily News, "This really does smack of political favoritism. And if that be the case, it’s another example of the Palin administration’s direct influence on the public safety unit."

That remark was in reference to the so-called "Troopergate" investigation, which involved allegations that Palin, her husband, Todd, and others, encouraged public-safety officials to fire her brother-in-law, who was in the middle of a nasty divorce with the governor’s sister. A report later found that Palin did in fact abuse her power a bit and let family influence that decision.

Alaska’s public-safety officials, meanwhile, claim the case was handled fairly, and promise that neither the governor nor anyone in her office knew police were investigating Johnston until the arrest warrant was served. Of course, only a thorough investigation into the investigation can reveal the truth.

43 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Jim Henley
This comment was deleted as it violated the Ten Commandments of Posting on our website.
By Jim Henley on 01/06/2009 1:50 am
Belinda Joy
I’m sure Sarah Palin had absolutely nothing to do with this matter….none at all. She is one of the most honest (gag!) politicians in Alaska.
By Belinda Joy on 01/05/2009 11:58 am
Dab-a- do
Hi, Belinda. This has been one of “those” days and I needed a chuckle. Thanks.
By Dab-a- do on 01/05/2009 12:33 pm
Catherine Kaiman
I’m just curious as to why the warrant for Johnstons arrest was delayed for the November general election. She was running for office, she was of no signific value to the election. Her warrant should have been implemented immediately. I can’t help but think that it was delayed to prevent embarrassment for Sarah Palin. Regardless of why it was delayed, it was wrong.
By Catherine Kaiman on 01/05/2009 1:49 pm
Jim Henley
This comment was deleted as it violated the Ten Commandments of Posting on our website.
By Jim Henley on 01/06/2009 1:53 am
Catherine Kaiman
So Jim it doesn’t bother you, that any other regular citizen would have had their warrant implemented immediately, but because of an election in which she played no role, other than being the mother of the young man that got Bristol Palin pregnant, strings were obviously pulled to prevent further embarrassment for Palin? Ok so we obviously disagree on this too, doesn’t bother me. But I should correct you on one thing Jim, Obama and his merry band of scammers as you refer to them, don’t get to spend my money Dear, for I am a Canadian.
By Catherine Kaiman on 01/06/2009 4:43 pm
Walter Wallis
I am actively seeking recruits here in California for my campaign to swap Governors with Alaska. I am willing to sweeten the deal and throw in Attorney General Jerry Brown as a freebie. Any volunteers?
By Walter Wallis on 01/05/2009 1:53 pm
Lady Gator
Walter —-do you have to live in California to be a volunteer?
By Lady Gator on 01/05/2009 2:06 pm
Grande Camper
Palin surprises never seem to end.
By Grande Camper on 01/05/2009 6:12 pm
Jim Henley
This comment was deleted as it violated the Ten Commandments of Posting on our website.
By Jim Henley on 01/05/2009 8:59 pm
Grande Camper
For a political party on either side I do not want someone who has so many personal problems. Her kids can’t complete high school. her grandson is from unwed parents, there are drug problems within the family ties. I don’t care what side of the party their one, I don’t like political member to be like this. For you maybe this is normal?
By Grande Camper on 01/06/2009 9:37 am
Jim Henley
This comment was deleted as it violated the Ten Commandments of Posting on our website.
By Jim Henley on 01/05/2009 8:02 pm
Chrome Toe
I had made a deal with myselt to never ever ever post on a thread regarding Palin again…. as I think she just gets to much press in relation to her actual accomplishments to date. HOWEVER… I am breaking my deal. Just recently I said to my husband that I really wish Sarah Palin’s politics were more in line with my own. if they were… she’d be someone I could really get behind and support. I love the idea of a woman who came up through the ranks of the solidly middle class, who has a teenage daughter who dropped out of high school to have a baby fathered by a kid whose mom is a drug dealer… and it’s all out in the OPEN… making it big. Not that being a governor isn’t already making it big. But i think her family story is the story of all families and I hate how maligned she is over it. My dad was in prison when i was born. I was a cocaine using teenager that sold pot on the way to junior high school. i got pregnant in highschool and have a highschool diploma because my vice principal was scared of the fact that i was complaining about a convicted sex offender he hired as a janitor. they were sick of me and i had a big mouth. my oldest daughter is an alcoholic and my youngest daughter has an eating disorder. But you know what… my life is good lol. and i think my story and Sarah Palin’s story is really everybody’s story in some way on some level. No one escapes it. some people are just better at not letting it be public than others. so like i said… i wish i could support her. I can’t. but damn i wish i could.
By Chrome Toe on 01/05/2009 10:11 pm
S.J. Morgan
Why are you not able to support her as a fellow woman and overlook her political party. No one says you have to LOVE her just respect her for strength.
By S.J. Morgan on 01/05/2009 10:31 pm
Chrome Toe
my post was in reference to supporting her as a candidate. not as a woman. i do support her as a woman. that was kind of the point…
By Chrome Toe on 01/05/2009 10:40 pm