The trial of an Alaska politician found guilty of taking bribes from the oil industry has offered a glimpse into more widespread corruption in the state’s government.
Details emerged in the trial of former state House Speaker Pete Kott about oil-friendly legislators who dubbed themselves the “Corrupt Bastards Club” and secretly taped booze-soaked hotel conversations showing how leaders of the state’s biggest oil-services company used their clout to manipulate Alaska politics.
At the trial, former VECO Corp chief executive Bill Allen described how he supplied materials and company workers to remodel Senator Ted Stevens’s Alaska home in the ski resort town of Girdwood to help influence legislation.
All the implicated Alaska politicians are Republicans.
So far – Ted Stevens, Ben Stevens and Don Young haven’t been charged. Given testimony at the trial, that just seems to be a matter of time.
Projected sentences for Allen and Smith are 9-11 years.
It’s always interesting when the facts of a scandalous story like this aren’t even very newsworthy because everyone already knew them.
The fact someone bothered to catch them at it turns out to be the newsworthy part of this story.
Not surprised in the least. It should be expected, in all areas where politics and corporations mix.
I actually should be legalized and accounted for, available for public viewing. This is actually done elsewhere.
Usually the “state” salary of an elected official is small.
By having the private sector finance part of the official’s salary, with the Gov’t getting paid taxes.
– Tax deduction for the Corp – being legal – encourages practice.
– Elected official, getting his home remodeled, gets evaluated. The evaluation amount is taxable income for that year.
His property value goes up accordingly, thus more taxes paid to the city.
Legalize Bribes !
Would make elections more interesting, as more people would want that “job”, for the fringe benefits.
I am shocked,corruption in Alaska.Anywhere there is this much money involved the oil companies are going to try to rig the system in their favor.What suprises me is that it all came out during the Bush administration.What did these politicians do to piss off the Feds?
#3 What suprises me is that it all came out during the Bush administration.What did these politicians do to piss off the Feds?
Either they didn’t make sure enough of the graft made it to dubya’s friends, and/or they didn’t do well enough on the loyalty tests.
Funny how the corruption can get that bad… until you remember the annual payment to residents based on oil revenue…
Who would want to risk killing that golden goose by rocking the boat?
You guys continue to fail at writing topics about Alaska. The whole thing comes down to one Q&A:
Q: Why do the citizens of Alaska not care, and will support this corruption.
A: By law, they’re part of it: https://www.pfd.state.ak.us/
As a former citizen of Alaska, I’m glad that things are setup where the “Lower 48”, which is what the rest of the country is referred to… with an emphasis on “Lower”…. funds the states existence. The whole “bridge to nowhere” was just a minor speed bump in this exercise.
#5 – with an emphasis on “Lower”
Yeah… That’s a real Algonquin Round Table you led up there in Alaska, Mr. Hill.
1, WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG??
2, AND you think the rest of the nation is sooo PURE?? Right.. want to buy a bridge??
3,we REALLY need a citizen, over site and investigative group to monitor these IDIOTS.
How much was in his freezer? Oh wait thats a corrupt Democrat.
#8 – Bob
“How much was in his freezer? Oh wait thats a corrupt Democrat.”
They couldn’t find a freezer big enough….and how does the latter excuse the former?
#9,
how does the latter excuse the former?
It doesn’t.
The difference however is that Jefferson is claiming the money was intended for a specific “legal” purpose. The government’s case about the money is till only at the preliminary stage. With Stevens, Stevens, and Young, this is sworn testimony from those that actually participated in the crimes.
Corruption is never right.
Not a surprise with the whole “Peak Oil” plot discovered by Greg Palast. The more control that is put on oil, the more the cost goes up. No wonder oil companies have been recording record profits.
#10 Mr. Fusion
“Corruption is never right.”
I absolutely agree. Now, if we could just get the politicians and the government to agree with us….