Palin Rumor #101 (or thereabouts)

Okay, I admit it, I lost track after 100. But here’s a new one. (Yes, it’s the one Bryan linked below while I was typing. Okay, he beat me. Sheesh.)

Todd Palin is not involved in a prostitution ring in Alaska. .

The original story in the Enquirer said:

SARAH PALIN’s husband TODD is caught up in a sleazy sex scandal, The ENQUIRER has learned!

Political bloggers are digging into incredible claims that the “First Dude” – father of the couple’s five children — cheated on his wife with a female massage therapist who was busted for prostitution!

After the police were actually contacted for confirmation, they added this update:

The Anchorage Police Department have issued the following press release:

Shailey Tripp Investigation APD #10-1823

The Anchorage Police Department investigation and arrest of Shailey Tripp has recently been mischaracterized in internet blogs and in a National Enquirer article. Several errors regarding the investigation and arrest were reported in the Enquirer article (printed and internet versions):

*None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records seized by APD.

*The investigation of the prostitution operation was initiated by Anchorage Police Department’s Vice Unit responding to internet advertisements, not through information developed from any tips or other persons.

*No rolodex was seized and taken into evidence.

*The National Enquirer has not contacted Anchorage Police Department Public Affairs Unit to fact check its story so their reported “call to Anchorage Police Department” could not have been returned.

*“Bloggers” have had no access to the evidence seized so their linking of evidence in police custody to any other person is incorrect.