Many were stunned by the abrupt resignation of Alaska Republican Governor Sarah Palin over the weekend. While she says legal troubles are not the primary reason for her resignation, she did say that her $500,000 legal costs were weighing heavily on her mind.

The FBI took the unprecedented step in announcing it was not investigating Palin.

According to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska, however, he did say Sunday that her decision to resign was largely prompted by her personal legal costs of the many investigations against her. Parnell will take over as Alaska Governor on July 26.

Palin is also considering defamation suits against several bloggers who have posted articles on everything from claiming her youngest child is her daughter’s to Palin’s resignation was prompted by a criminal investigation. One blogger is Shannyn Moore, who did claim her resignation was due to a criminal investigation.

The legal definition of defamation is: “an act of communication that causes someone to be shamed, ridiculed, held in contempt, lowered in the estimation of the community, or to lose employment status or earnings or otherwise suffer a damaged reputation. Libel and slander are included under defamation.”

The ultimate defense to libel is truth. When the plaintiff is a public official or figure, actual malice or reckless disregard is much more difficult to prove. According to The New York Times v. Sullivan (1964), a “reasonable person knew or should have known the defamatory statement was false, a public figure plaintiff must prove the intent of the defendant was malicious, or that they acted with reckless disregard for the truth.”

The public will just have to wait and see what Palin’s plans are for the future.