She fired the Director of Public Safety because he refused to fire her brother-in-law. Palin wanted the brother-in-law fired because of a messy divorce.

After investigating the ethics committee found the guy was working at the will of the government, that she could fire him for any reason whatever. Even if it was because the guy refused to fire her brother-in-law. Even if the reason stinks to high heaven. No matter how well qualified. And the ethics commission made a judgement call.

Now, the reason that was so expensive was that the McCain-Palin forces stonewalled, stiff-armed and otherwise impeded the investigation and resolution of the matter until after the election.