Pictured here in happier time with Sen. John McCain on the campaign trail, Levi Johnston who is the teenage father of Gov. Sarah Palin's grandson Trig. In a news conference Thursday Johnston said that he personally heard Palin discuss leaving Alaska to go capitalize from her quick rise to fame. Sarah Palin is fighting back against the claim.
Asked if Levi Johnston's accusation bore any truth, Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail Absolutely not. She is taking a leap of faith that all will be well personally. This is about what is best for Alaska and not what is best for her personally."
According to Johnston, he overheard Palin say that "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,'" Johnston said of the one-time GOP vice presidential nominee.
Johnston, who spent time living with the Palin family this past winter before splitting with Bristol, is reportedly seeking to do the very thing he accuses Palin of doing. The high school drop-out, who became famous on the stage of last summer's Republican National Convention, is said to be peddling a book and movie deal.
"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," Stapleton added in her e-mail.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Sarah Palin is scoffing at comments by Bristol Palin's former fiance, 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 spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, said 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.
"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 GOP 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."
Jon Stewert Thank You Boston
Colbert Report On 4th of July