Sarah Palin’s Legal Defense Fund is Here!
7 04 2009
If you were up all night pacing the floors, wondering if Thomas Van Flein was ever going to get paid his half million dollars (and counting) for what has to be a full time job – defending the governor from herself – you will sleep well tonight. Put your little head right down on the pillow and know that Sarah Palin now has a fund set up, where you and other concerned citizens can pay her attorney directly for stuff like Troopergate, misuse of official position by charging the state for her children’s travel expenses, doing campaign work from the governor’s office, using private Yahoo! email accounts to do official state business, charging the state per diem to live in her house, advertising a brand name sporting goods company who was paying her husband, claiming that emails sent to her husband are protected under “executive privilege,” and violating Alaska law by refusing (even retroactively) to issue a Juneteenth proclamation. One can imagine Palin’t attorney sitting behind his desk with nothing visible but his eyes peering over the top of large stacks of papers. They look a little squinched on the sides….like they’re smiling.
According to the organizer,the defense money raised will go directly to Thomas Van Flein, Governor Palin’s private attorney. Governor Palin owes over 500 thousand dollars in legal bills as she fights a series of ethics complaints filed by Democratic Operatives working in Alaska . The bills are expected to go much higher.
Clayton Paslay, a businessman who splits his time between Texas and Southern California, set up the fund.
Clayton tells me that he has never met the Governor, but set up the fund because he wants her “to get a fair shake.” He also told me that he hopes Sarah Palin runs for President in 2012 because “We need someone to clean up Washington . Someone with grit like Governor Palin.”
Mr. Paslay says he filed all the federal election legal papers for the special fund and spoke with Governor Palin’s attorney. I called Mr. Van Flein’s office and they confirmed that the fund is legitimate.
Paslay expects enemies of Sarah Palin to come after him. Paslay said, “I told Sarah Palin’s attorney that I may need him too.”
And that pile of money just got a little bigger….
The post then goes on to say that even though this fund is legal, it’s not the real “official” fund, which is coming. It will be up and running really soon, but it might require calling every single donor and asking them a series of questions, which they may not want to do, but they’re not sure, but they do know that totally for sure this is really really legal. But in the mean time you can still give your money to the unofficial and also totally really legal one, which is set up now.
And then, just in case you weren’t sure, the post has an update telling us that they’ve double-checked that it’s legal. And not only that but they are going to keep really meticulous and careful records….of the one that’s up and running now. Even though it’s not the official one, they’re going to be really careful. And legal. And legitimate.
Again, just to be clear. Sarah Palin’s attorney has given his assurance that this fund is legal and legitimate. So, if you give to this fund or the “official” one still to be set up, the money is all going to the same place – to pay for Sarah Palin’s legal bills.
So, crack those piggy banks, kids!
And I’m about to give the governor the best legal advice she’s ever had (and I’m not even a lawyer).
Here it is: Stop doing illegal stuff.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
There is a difference between relief funding for the disadvantaged and outright begging by someone who has all the ADVANTAGES in life already handed to them.
Charlatan Beggars don’t know from Socialism or Capitalism.
Its all the same to them – other people’s money coming their way for no work or transfer of equal value.
If she receives one dime that would have otherwise gone towards the disadvantaged in Alaska or elsewhere, Sarah is a Charlatan Beggar.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Does the manager of a legal defense fund get paid administration fees?
April 8th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I’m sorry but I just find this so UTTERLY depressing. I can’t believe she wouldn’t even lift a finger for the people who had no heat & were starving (that is until she was forced to by the good work of Alaskans who give a crap about people). Didn’t she suggest that they should go get jobs away from home like her husband did? Why don’t the Palins go get second/third jobs to pay for their problems like the rest of us would be forced to do?
Second of all after posturing not to take the stimulus money allowed to Alaska she thinks it is okay to get free money for herself?
I just cannot for the life of me understand why ANYONE thinks this woman is maternal, wonderful, educated, competent, etc. It just makes my head hurt!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I’m a CPA. I don’t generally handle gift taxes too often, but here is my general understanding.
Assuming these legal fees have already been charged to GINO and she’s indebted to the law firm, income from the discharge of indebtedness is included in gross income of the relieved party UNLESS the debt is discharged due to insolvency in a bankruptcy proceeding, the discharge is a GIFT, or a student loan is discharged because the individual fulfilled a service obligation.
My assumption is that this discharge would be considered a gift. Gifts are defined to include any transfer of property, outright or in trust, to the extent it is made without full and adequate consideration. In that case, the gift is taxable to the donor (in this case the law firm). The donee of a gift does not pay tax on gifts nor include them in gross income. As stated above, the firm can exclude $12,000 of a present interest in property to any person during a calendar year from the amount of total gross gifts.
To summarize, she won’t have to pay any taxes on this or have to include it in her gross income. It’s a clever set-up, and I’m sure they probably consulted some specialists in order to set this thing up as a tax shield for the Queen.
Back to work for me.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Grainne Says,
Living in a border state, I’m always getting Canadian pennies. I’l unload them in her honor.
—-
I laugh as we can use U.S. coins but most states you can’t use Canadian. No exchange difference on coins whether your dollar was higher or mine was.
Unload them on her!! I know, it’s my fault!!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:26 AM
hmmm! c4pee had a thread about Levi on CBS and now Poof! It has disappeared! Can’t have any blogs unless they are about GINO farting rainbows! (thanks Jen
)
April 8th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
opps, now its back?
Oh this guy who set up the “legal” fund links to the blog by our fave troll, notalib…and he asks her to get the bloging community to write faux noise, lol!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
#
71
Paula Says:
April 8th, 2009 at 3:09 AM
We should send in hundreds of checks for .01, just to assure they have a real fun time with the books. And what the heck, it’s tax deducatable, right? Since it’s basically pretty legal, seeming at least, then we can legally assume it’s legal to legally deduct our legal donations, being they’re pretty sure it’s a legal fund.
—————-
How about checks for $0.02 with AKM’s advice written under the “Notes” or perhaps .. “Hey Lady, Stop doing stupid %)*@$&%)*@$ in the first place.. ” ?
April 8th, 2009 at 10:36 AM
My advise to Sarah:
Let the people who set up your legal defense fund set up a new legal defense fund, when you’re prosecuted for improperly setting up a legal defense fund.
Down the rabbit hole you go…
Some folks see Sarah as having legal troubles and baggage that they don’t want to see in a candidate. Others protest that its the just haters and detractors that are jealous or just out to get her.
I’m hoping that in the end people will see it all as baggage of some kind, get sick of it and seek a candidate without so many -haters&detractors and lawsuits and ethics complaints, and failures of leadership.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
@texasbrian:
Thanks.
More on Palin’s “Every Day is Christmas”:
Washington Post Sept. 26, 2008 article “Palin Accepted $25,000 in Gifts, Alaska Records Show”
(and this was just the tip of the iceberg):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092503988.html
April 8th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Canadian Neighbour Says:
April 8th, 2009 at 10:06 AM
austintx,
Some of the comments were hilarious. I choked on “you can’t set up a fund to fix stupid”!! LOL
—-
One of my favorite comments from the forum from Owhole1:
Quote from: CrabbyPatty on April 03, 2009, 04:09:04 PM
I can sure see why being surrounded with high school dropouts, drug dealers, thieves, etc. is so much more important than actually doing her job and being Governor. Geesh.
Hey, have you ever tried runnin’ a jugband when the lady on the washboard wasn’t there? Washboard; you got a band. No washboard; it’s just bunch of toothless doofuses bangin’ away on a bunch of junk.
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I laugh out loud everytime I look at this. No amount of money is going to help SPee with the trail she’s left.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:15 AM
AP “Texan’s Palin defense fund isn’t legal, PAC says”
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/general/view/2009_04_08_Texan_s_Palin_defense_fund_isn_t_legal__PAC_says/srvc=home&position=recent
April 8th, 2009 at 11:30 AM
#206 Mike from Everett says:
“How about checks for $0.02 with AKM’s advice written under the “Notes” or perhaps .. “Hey Lady, Stop doing stupid %)*@$&%)*@$ in the first place.. ” ?”
LOL!!!!! Brilliant!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:32 AM
c4p says the fund “jumped the gun” – more ineptitude from the right:
We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the “Sarah Palin Defense Fund.” It’s not an official fund set up by Gov. Palin. It was set up by a well-intentioned grassroots activist to assist Gov. Palin. The official one is still on it’s way. And it turns out that this grassroots fund unfortunately jumped the gun.
Palin family spokesperson Meg Stapleton sent CNN this statement about Paslay’s defense fund:
“The continuing generosity of Alaskans and Americans is overwhelming as many reach out to assist Governor Sarah Palin and her family with their legal bills.
However, the official legal defense fund for Governor Sarah Palin has not been formed and the Governor cannot accept monies for those obligations from any other entity than the one in formation. Numerous federal and state laws to need to be abided by and the official legal defense fund will have very strict donation guidelines.
We thank everyone interested in helping the Governor. The best way to assist her will be through this official fund which will launch later this month.”
April 8th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
So all they have to do is launder these illegal funds to the legal legal defense fund? Brilliant!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:45 AM
jim: yup yup, you betcha!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:51 AM
nswfm CA – here’s that pic. for ya !!
http://www.blackbookmag.com/ee/images/uploads/sarah-palin-valley-trash.jpg
April 8th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Any word on what Bill McAllister is doing? Truth Squad Meg Stapelton is doing all the talking for Palin. He seems to have “disappeared.”
April 8th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Happened on this one too.also.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xn_O-mM2sFk/SPOdPls1urI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/FnI0w2KW7Jo/s1600-h/palint-s+2.JPG
April 8th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
@yukonbushgrandma –
Thanks & back at ya! I have been desperately in need of sane acquaintances while here… If you’re in the Juneau area I will be there next month and am planning a mini-mudstock with some others. Would love to have you join us. If you’re in the Anchorage area we can meet up before I move away in May.
April 8th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
When are the people of AK gonna wake up and recall this ding a ling?
The people who will make money in this show are the lawyers, just like the guy sitting on the pile o’ money.
April 8th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
C4Pee, the jugband missing the washboard.
April 8th, 2009 at 12:11 PM
boo boo bear – McAllister is very ill. The stress of covering for GINO could not have helped.
April 8th, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Did she or did she not get a book deal? Does she really need the money?
My big question is, will Alaska re-elect her in 2010?
April 8th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
MSNBC just said there is 1300 bucks so far……….
April 8th, 2009 at 1:07 PM
McAllister can’t respond to anything that is not related to the Governor’s official duties – thanks to Andree McLeod, who has done such a find job of clarifying the ethical distinction between public and private interest.
I suspect that is why we are hearing from Meg on a regular basis, because everything that has been happening has been about personal drama or politics or both.
I suppose McAllister will speak again as soon as the Governor actually does something in the interest of the State of Alaska.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:15 PM
What’s the mailing address ?
I’ll write a .02 cent check right now and send it in !
Or maybe I’ll put 2 pennies in an envelope (inside a tri-folded sheet of paper so it will go through the postal automation machines).
Let them have fun deal with a bunch of loose pennies !
April 8th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Sharon Leigheigh (Leighough?) appears to be covering at the state level for McAllister during his illness.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I got this too from scarahPac
“The continuing generosity of Alaskans and Americans
ummmm? Since when aren’t Alaskan’s American’s?????
April 8th, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I don’t suppose this guy thought about using his clout to help those who lost their homes, jobs and insurance. Instead, he’s bailing out Palin? I attempted to write this at ADN but alas, can’t seem to get my message listed! Hmmm, something is afoot!
April 8th, 2009 at 1:41 PM
The real Sarah Palin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJCvHMtwE4&NR=1
LOL!
DD
April 8th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
lol 1100.00 in one day for her defense fund? I bet Levi would get that ten fold in one day.
April 8th, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Politico has a little “problem” with Palin’s Legal Defense Fund as well…
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21046.html
April 8th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
She who doesn’t have a clue which way the wind is blowing, ever.
Also has a left hand that doesn’t know what the right hand is doing, also. She and her crew are a bunch of walking and talking ethics violations.
I wonder what her grand total is so far in legal bills is, and what that equates to per each day she’s been Governor. Mind boggling what poor judgement can cost.
April 8th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
“Stop doing illegal stuff”
HaHaHa…Lordy, that’s funny but really good advice….
Said he wants the GiNo to get a fair shake?
Nothing like money to prolong those legal fights…
April 8th, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Statement from Mega – Palin FAMILY [really] Spokesmodel
“…as many reach out to assist Governor Sarah Palin and her FAMILY with their legal bills.”
SO THIS WILL BE FOR THE FAMILY TOO ALSO?
I guess we can include bills for BPs Child Support Cases [in case it happens].
April 8th, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Ya but I think Gloria goes along with Greta so wouldn’t help
April 8th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I just wanted to get this in today.Yesterday on yahoo news they had a picture of Michelle Obama and IMO she is so much prettier tha Ms Palin
April 8th, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Sorry Than
April 8th, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Better yet get Levi on the view!!!
April 8th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
What a piece of work GINO is. The family drama, the seats drama.
Can’t she slow down?
She has wrong advisors. Also her Ego is amazing
April 8th, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I like the penny idea, but lets send them directly to her official office address. Include a personal note regarding ethics. Select the violation of your choice, there’s so very many to choose from!
April 8th, 2009 at 5:41 PM
you betcha!!!!
April 8th, 2009 at 6:03 PM
If I remember right from previous blogs, the Govenor of Alaska can’t accept gifts and can’t earn or accept money other than the Governor’s salary, while in office.
So it looks like either way, gift or income. Sarah can’t access it till she’s out of office.
April 8th, 2009 at 6:05 PM
TRIDHA: “Sarah Palin…not right for Washington…..Not right for America.”
Sarah Palin, not right period!
April 8th, 2009 at 6:14 PM
156 Penn Lawyer: GiNO will just start a fund to pay the 488 off, it could go on forever – her & these illegal funds…
April 8th, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Tonight from HuffPo: Oops, Sarah says her new defense fund went rogue!
Defense fund says otherwise…..
Andy Barr’s reporting indicates that the outside Palin “legal fund” may actually be a fraud…
“The home page of “Sarah Palin’s Defense Fund” proclaims that “SARAH PALIN NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!!” But a click on “donate now” directs the user to the website of Free American Citizens. [...]
“Palin’s staff said the group did not contact either her political action committee or her governor’s office before announcing its formation Wednesday.”
REALLY? Oh, they just contacted her legal team? Read on..
“Paslay says that the funds are being kept separate from his organization and the governor’s political action committee. He is, however, in coordination with Palin’s legal team.”
“The attorney for Sarah Palin is aware of it and we have correspondence going with him because the funds are going to go to him,” he said.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Meg Stapleton using State Letterhead for the Press Release to People.com on the Levi situation. Is this legal? Meg doesn’t work for the state does she? This was not a state matter so why was state letterhead used?
April 9th, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I think that reference for paying legal bills for her and her family’s issues might have to do with the Dud’s contempt when he didn’t show up to testify in the Troopergate investigation. It ties in to the warthog she put up for AG….
April 10th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
I kind of thought that was why she let the old AG go cause he did not stop contempt citation!!!