Sarah Palin earned $75,000 to speak at cash-strapped California university

FRESNO, Calif. — The foundation arm of a cash-strapped California public university paid Sarah Palin $75,000 to speak at a 50th anniversary gala, officials said Friday. The former Alaska governor’s speech last month at California State University, Stanislaus drew intense criticism and scrutiny and also attracted sizable donations for the public school. School officials said it raised more than...

View full sizeRich Pedroncelli / APSarah Palin holds out her palm to show the notes on it while speaking at a fundraising dinner June 25 at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif. The foundation arm of a cash strapped California public university paid Sarah Palin $75,000 to speak at a 50th anniversary gala, officials said Friday.

FRESNO, Calif. — The foundation arm of a cash-strapped California public university paid Sarah Palin $75,000 to speak at a 50th anniversary gala, officials said Friday.

The former Alaska governor’s speech last month at California State University, Stanislaus drew intense criticism and scrutiny and also attracted sizable donations for the public school.

School officials said it raised more than $207,000 for the university, making it the most successful fundraiser in campus history. Officials refused to divulge the terms of her contract or her speaking fee until Friday.

Additional details only came to light after students fished part of what appeared to be Palin’s contract from a rubbish bin. That prompted California Attorney General Jerry Brown to launch an investigation into the finances of the university’s foundation arm and allegations that the nonprofit violated public disclosure laws.

The material recovered by the students detailed perks such as first-class airfare for two and deluxe hotel accommodations. The school’s foundation said those expenses amounted to $2,500.

The funds raised by the gala were intended to help pay for scholarships and a variety of pressing campus needs, which the foundation was to determine after consulting with university officials.

The rural university, like dozens of other public colleges, has had to cut some classes and cancel several scholarships as a result of California’s ongoing financial woes.