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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Trashed document outlines alleged perks for Palin - CNN.com

Trashed document outlines alleged perks for Palin - CNN.com

Trashed document outlines alleged perks for Palin

By the CNN Wire Staff
April 15, 2010 -- Updated 0807 GMT (1607 HKT)
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • California state college foundation allegedly considered perks to hire Sarah Palin as speaker
  • Attorney General Jerry Brown has opened an investigation into the foundation's finances
  • Document detailing contractual details allegedly found in trash by 2 students

(CNN) -- First-class commercial air travel for two or a private jet -- "must be a Lear 60 or larger" -- from Alaska to California and back. A deluxe hotel suite "registered under an alias." And two unopened bottles of still water with "bendable straws."

That's what former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin wanted from a California state college foundation as part of her speaking agreement, according to a draft of a confidential contract allegedly lifted from a Dumpster by two students.

That a publicly funded college would consider spending money in this fashion sparked controversy. But that the speaker was none other than Palin has taken the flap to a whole new level.

Attorney General Jerry Brown opened an investigation Tuesday into the finances of the California State University Stanislaus Foundation, which raises money for the university and booked Palinto headline its June event.

"We are taking this action to make sure that the money raised goes toward the intended educational purposes and not a dollar is wasted or misspent," said Brown, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

State Sen. Leland Yee, also a Democrat, has demanded to see the speaking contract, citing the public records Act. At a Tuesday new