A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner.

The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor.

The Republican vice presidential nominee has been accused of firing a commissioner to settle a family dispute. Palin supporters have called the investigation politically motivated.

Monegan says he was dismissed as retribution for resisting pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

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Alaska lawmakers are expected to release an ethics report into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner today, but some Republicans say it's being rushed in order to damage John McCain's presidential campaign.

Palin has been accused of firing the state's Public Safety Commissioner, after pressuring him to fire a state trooper involved in a nasty divorce with the governor's sister. The report is also expected to touch on Palin's husband Todd's involvement.

Members of a legislative committee reviewing the matter have been meeting behind closed doors today and had to sign a confidentiality agreement before being allowed to read the report.

One of those lawmakers, Republican Peggy Wilson, wonders whether the committee is rushing to a conclusion, saying she's barely had time to read the report. It's estimated to be 300 pages long, with 1,000 pages of supporting documents.