Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may have violated state ethics laws by soliciting and accepting donations to pay her legal debt, an independent investigator found.

A confidential report obtained by The Washington Post indicated Palin may have violated laws barring elected officials from using their office for "personal gain" by soliciting donations for her Alaska Fund Trust, established to help defend Palin against a myriad of ethics complaints.

"There is little doubt that the Alaska Fund Trust will provide 'personal gain' to Governor Palin because the trust will provide a benefit to the governor's financial interest," Anchorage lawyer Thomas Daniel wrote in his July 14 report.

Palin, Sen. John McCain's running mate on the 2008 Republican presidential ticket, is to leave office this weekend, about 18 months before her first term ends.

Daniel, hired by the state personnel board to investigate a complaint, said Palin could decide to settle or the matter could go before an administrative law judge for a hearing.

Daniel recommended Palin "refuse to accept payment for her legal fees and costs" from the fund, and ask the state to reimburse her for legal fees incurred for complaints that are dismissed, the Post said.

Palin's personal attorney said that the release of Daniel's report was premature and violated law.

"The matter is still pending. Whatever you have seen was released in violation of law," Thomas Van Flein said in a statement.

Randy Evans, the attorney who established the trust, said it was legal and "any suggestion to the contrary is candidly absurd."