Levi Johnston suing for joint custody of Palin grandson

Sarah Palin's book tour just got a little difficult, as she faces a legal battle during it

Published November 9, 2009 8:32PM (EST)

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been making more and more forays back out into the public eye as the date of her memoir's release grows closer. Now, with the book due out in just eight days, she's been hit with news that's probably going to put a crimp in her whatever plans she's had for getting positive coverage during her book tour.

Levi Johnston, the former fiancé of Palin's daughter Bristol -- and the father of the former governor's first grandchild, 10-month-old Tripp -- reportedly plans to sue for joint custody of his son.

"It's not working. I'm done," Johnston told the Insider. "It's going to have to go to court. They just finally pushed me over the edge."

This could end up being a real headache for Palin. Johnston has previously said he has potentially damaging information about the woman who was once set to be his mother-in-law, and he's already made some accusations that could hurt her. (Palin has denied them all.) Having more of them in court documents won't help matters much, not as she's trying to promote a book and herself. Plus, this means some outlets will be asking her about Johnston during interviews about the book. Palin's booked for an interview with Oprah Winfrey, for example, who has enough power that she can ensure that no questions are off-limits; that could mean that Palin will be pulled off-message during the big launch of her tour.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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