Palin Ethics Probe Expanded in Alaska By Personnel Board

The Troopergate ethics complaint Governor Palin sought to side-track by filing a separate ethics complaint could boomerang on her big time.

Palin filed a separate complaint against herself with a state Personnel Board. She retains the power to fire them. The ethics board surprised everyone by hiring its own special investigator, Tim Petumenos, a Democrat, who once contributed money to her political opponent.

Mr. Petumenos expanded his investigation to go beyond Troopergate. The investigation now includes other ethics complaints made against Palin, and it involves other officials, too.