From the Associated Press --

An ethics complaint has been filed against Gov. Sarah Palin, claiming the legal defense fund she established last week to challenge such claims is an ethics violation itself.

Kim Chatman of Eagle River filed the complaint Monday with the Alaska attorney general's office, seeking an investigation by the Alaska Personnel Board.

Chatman claims Palin, the former Republican vice presidential candidate, is misusing her official position for political gain and receiving improper gifts.

Palin has said she's accumulated more than $500,000 in legal fees defending herself against a dozen or so ethics complaints and for representation in Troopergate, the Alaska Legislature's probe into the firing of her former public safety commissioner.

UPDATE, 6:10 p.m.: A spokeswoman for Palin, Sharon Leighow, issued the following statement in response to the complaint:

"As we've been saying, the number of ethics complaints filed against the governor and her staff -- as well as the tortured logic they contain -- continue to constitute the most disturbing trend in Alaska politics. It's obvious the intent with this unprecedented action against the governor is to see her administration paralyzed and for her to declare personal bankruptcy."

Read the full complaint here.

Excerpt:

"Governor Palin has at least 500,000 supporters between her Facebook, TeamSarah, and other groups in support of Sarah Palin. If each of them were to contribute an average of $100 it would equate to $50 million. If they contribute an average of $50 it equates to $25 million. If half of them send $10 it equals $2.5 million. That’s personal wealth created for Governor Palin by putting a for sale sign on our Alaska Governor’s Office. That kind of money injected into the complaint process does not provide the opportunity for Governor Palin, Todd Palin and aides to take responsibility for their misconducts."