Sponsors of Sarah Palin speech at Cal State campus violated no laws, Jerry Brown says

A state investigation found that no laws were broke when Sarah Palin spoke at a California State University campus earlier this summer, said state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown.

The investigation looked into the finances and actions of a Cal State Stanislaus foundation that had invited the former Alaska governor to give a speech after allegations that it may have illegally discarded documents related to the event.

It also looked at whether the foundation violated the California Public Records Act when it refused the request of state Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to hand over documents related to Palin's speaking fee and other aspects of her June 25 appearance.

"We examined whether money given to a charitable foundation was handled appropriately, but found no violation of law," Brown said in a statement. "However, the foundation board has agreed to make changes to improve oversight of its funds." 

His announcement would appear to end the controversy over Palin's speech.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Sarah Palin at her June 25 Cal State Stanislaus appearance. Credit: Modesto Bee

Comments

[Lefty Ladig]

No laws were violated, just good taste and common sense.

[Concerned Citizen]

Yes, the appearance violated no laws, other than that of common sense. I suppose if the aim of the CSU Stanislaus was to raise money, her appearance was a success. However, many circuses thrived by the exhibition of freak shows with bearded ladies, and such. If Palin's appearance was meant to contribute to the so called marketplace of ideas that you expect to find at any university worth the price of its admission, I'd ask for a refund--due to spoliation.

[Wayne Zeides]

My question is this who would want to pay to hear Pathetic Palin speak in the first place?

[Sela]

Gee, thanks Jerry!
What an utter waste of money, time, and resources for Jerry Brown. Then, Moonbeam has the nerve to act outraged over what happened in Bell.

This was a politically motivated hit-job by the AG, and he should be publicly humiliated for it.

[JR]

I'm certainly no Palin fan but she gives a paid speech and the private organization that paid her is investigated by the state? I wonder, had it been a liberal speaker would there been an investigation? The last time I looked free speech isn't supposed to just apply to people we happen to agree with.

[David]

A non-story event, contrived from the start by disgruntled students. As long as a foundation spends its money according to its bylaws, the fact that they hire a speaker with which one disagrees is moot. It's more in keeping with the education mission to hire a speaker like Palin, who might foster discussion and dissent, than to funnel the money to sports facilities and teams, as do so many of the CSU foundations.

[Jim8]

"No laws were violated," except the law of common sense.

Sara Palin has a mean spirit, which is obviously what she is valued for.

[syscom3]

The leftists will stop at nothing to stop people whom they don't like from speaking.

The threat from America is not from Al Queda, but from the loonie eft!

[Douglas W. Clark]

Or, perhaps, "no laws were broken..."?

[olthadi]

Please continue to contribute to the Sarah Palin publicity fund. For no reason other then her mere existence drives the loony left up the wall.

[Truga]

CSU owes Palin an apology for the atrocious behavior demonstrated against her when she helps raise >$200,000 for the CSU Foundation, which was done legally. I personally hope that she does not return to CSU in the future and the Foundation can just go broke gain. Any students receiving scholarships from this event should personally thank Sarah Palin for the financial assistance.

[Bill]

In the 1960s, I was kicked out of a John Birch Society meeting for asking if our constitution gave people the right to express views that contradicted our constitution. Are those who oppose Palin doing the same thing? Can't they handle an opposing point of view?

[Bruce]

Another attempt by the left to shut down a viewpoint contrary to theirs. I'm not a Palin fan either but the left's utter disregard for freedom of speech is appalling.

[sodakhic]

Oh thanks Jerry Brown, its ok for a conservative to speak. The next time a Cal school brings in Gore or Clinton we can expect the same kind of scrutiny. You betcha.

[Ari]

I think people are forgetting the question that was being asked: does a non-profit that is run by university administrators, for the university, covered under the Public Records Act?

This was a relevant question to ask, no matter who the speaker was.

[Stephen J. Smith]

Gee, thanks Gov. Moonbeam. How much did this political stunt/investigation cost the taxpayers? More libtard madness.

[Benjamin Torres]

So a foundation that paid Palin for a speech was thought to have thrown some receipts away improperly, but it turned out they didn't? Link bating, guys!

[IvanG]

"A state investigation found that no laws were broke [sic] . . ."? The Time needs more proofreaders.

[Jim8]

Bill said, Are those who oppose Palin doing the same thing? Can't they handle an opposing point of view?"

I should have added that her criticism of the health care bill was to make up a "fact" designed to scare those who don't think deeply, about death panels. Among my criticism of that episode is that for profit insurance companies are making those decisions NOW.

How does health care reform dealing with insurance companies turning people down with pre exisiting conditions? Is she in favor of this continuing?

What IS her actual idea for improvement?

[MicMac]

The fundraiser was not all that successful when you consider the fact that $90,000 of the so-called 'profit' was directly contributed by the event planners themselves to fatten the final number.

[Michael]

What are the political affiliations of the other speakers that were investigated?