Palin's book retainer: $1.25 million (Updated)

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: October 27, 2009 - 8:32 am

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Sarah Palin reported in financial disclosures out this morning that she received $1.25 million from publisher HarperCollins as "retainer for book" before she resigned as governor in July.

The report doesn't give a date for when Palin received the money. But the disclosures cover money that Palin received during her final seven months as governor, from Jan. 1 to July 26.

No other details are offered on the book deal, but a retainer would just be an upfront piece of her money. Palin's memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life," is to hit bookstores on Nov. 17.

UPDATE -- Palin's spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton, just emailed me this statement:

"The Governor has complied with Alaska disclosure law by her filing yesterday. Now, as a private citizen, her business dealings, including her publishing agreement, are confidential."

Palin's report also lists her as owner of "Pie Spy LLC," described as a marketing business. It's referred to as "Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities" in the state's corporation database. The address of the business is listed as the office of Palin's lawyer in Anchorage, Thomas Van Flein.

Palin listed several gifts as well, including $4,250 in Yankees tickets in June from Rudy Giuliani for herself, her husband and her daughter, Willow.

Palin reported receiving $1,664 from evangelist Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse for airfare to Russian Mission and Marshall as part of an effort to deliver food aide to the Western Alaska vilages last spring.

Her husband, Todd, reported a $2,000 gift from the teen abstinence advocacy group Candie's Foundation for a May trip to New York. Their daughter, Bristol, was a spokesperson for the group.)

These are the final financial disclosure reports that Palin will be required to file with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Palin reported that she received $73,000 in salary and $6,370 in per diem during those final months before resigning as governor.

Todd Palin reported receiving $34,086 during that time as a BP production operator. He also reported $32,260 from his commercial setnet fishing operation in Bristol Bay, under the business name "Toad's Fisheries."

Todd Palin also reported $3,500 in winnings from the Iron Dog snowmachine race.

He disclosed a $3,252 snowmachine discount from his sponsor, Arctic Cat.

SECOND UPDATE --This was not included in our story about Sarah Palin's disclosures. But our initial online reporting linked Palin’s home loan and her legal expense fees. Sarah Palin’s attorney, Thomas Van Flein, confirms there is no connection.

That was my error, based on misreading one of the filings.