Book Claims Sarah Palin Smoked Pot in College

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, has been hit by shocking allegations that before she got married she had sex with basketball star Glen Rice and took cocaine while snowboarding with her husband, Todd, and friends.

The allegations are contained in Joe McGinniss' The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin which hit the Internet on Wednesday and will be published on Sept. 20.

The claims were first published in the National Enquirer, which quoted publishing sources close to the book.

The Enquirer reported that McGinniss claims that Sarah Heath had a one-night-stand with Rice in the 1980s, before she got married to Todd Palin. Rice went on to have a very successful NBA career and was a three-time All-Star.

McGinnis also claims that she took cocaine from a 55-gallon drum years ago, smoked pot in college with a professor and also had an affair with her husband’s business partner for six months.

Palin burst on the national scene when John McCain selected her to be his vice-presidential candidate in 2008, after which her life has been under the microscope. However, the claims will be the first such shocking allegations by a serious author.

She hasn't openly announced her candidacy for the 2012 presidential race, but has visited a number of primary states over recent months. These allegations could jeopardize the Tea Party politician's political aspirations.

While writing the book, McGinnis rented a house in Wasilla, Alaska, next to the Palin family. Palin strongly opposed McGinniss moving next door to her and accused him of planning to spy on her children.