NEW : Report : employee violated state ethics law . NEW : Ahead of Friday 's hearing , Palin supporters wearing clown costumes and carrying balloons denounced the probe as a `` kangaroo court '' and a `` three-ring circus '' led by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama . McCain campaign denounces affair as ` ` partisan - based inquiry '' Legislative committee investigating July dismissal of public safety officer .
NEW : Report : employee violated state ethics law . NEW : McCain campaign denounces affair as ` ` partisan - based inquiry '' Legislative committee investigating July dismissal of public safety officer .