Revealed: Palin billed state for nights spent at home

Alaska governor and US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a “per diem” (by the day) allowance intended to cover meals and expenses while travelling on state business.

The governor has also charged the state for expenses to take her children on official out-of-town trips. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for a daily allowance for trips he makes on business for his wife.

Palin, who earns $125,000 (€88,000) a year, claimed and received $16,951 as her allowance, which officials say was permitted because her official “duty station” is Juneau, the capital city 965 kilometres (600 miles) from her home in Wasilla, according to an analysis of her travel documents by The Washington Post.