Palin 'fame' claims slammed

2009-07-10 21:17

Alaska - A spokesperson for Governor Sarah Palin is scoffing at comments by Bristol Palin's former fiancé, who says he thinks Palin resigned to cash in on her fame.

"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," Palin family spokesperson Meghan Stapleton said.

Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, said on Thursday he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January.

He claimed he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book.

"She had talked about how nice it would be to take some of this money people had been offering us and you know just run with it, say 'forget everything else,"' he said.

He said he thinks book deals were really what appealed to Palin.

Million dollar book deal

"I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars," said Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved.

Compensation details of Palin's book projects haven't been disclosed. The former Republican vice presidential candidate has said she is facing more than $500 000 in legal fees.

Johnston made his comments at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney, Rex Butler.

Johnston came forward, Butler said, because Alaskans want to know why Palin has decided to resign, effective the end of the month.
Johnston is pursuing his own book deal and movie deal while working as a carpenter.

Asked if he would vote for her if she ran for president, Johnston said: "I think she's a great lady, but after seeing what she did now, you know, leaving Alaska, I would have to say, 'no.' Obviously she's stressed out as governor. I mean moving up to the vice president or president is huge. I just don't think anymore that she's cut out for the job."

- AP