For those are aware, the first of the convicted state lawmakers has been sentanced today. Republican Tom Anderson received 5 years in Federal Prison for his role in accepting a bribe of $24,000 from a prison contracting firm.
Former State Speaker of the House, Pete Kott has been convicted and is awaiting sentancing.
Republican Vic Kohring's trial starts next week and Fellow Republican Bruce Weyhrauch will face trial later in 2007 or early 2008.
The later 3 law makers have all been caught on FBI wiretaps and video taking money from a oil field services company for thier influence on the petroleum profits tax legislation that went into effect in 2006, under heavy criticism.
There have been other law makers implicated in this. Including the son of US Senator Ted Stevens(R-AK) and others. Though they have not yet been indicted.
adn.com | Tom Anderson : Anderson sentenced to five years
I am actually quite surprised this hasnt had more focus in the national media. These has been some coverage, but it has dominated the scene in Alaska.

An update to this story. Another state lawmaker this afternoon was convicted on 3 of 4 felony counts in federal court. Including Bribery and corruption.
adn.com | Vic Kohring : Kohring found guilty on most corruption counts

This is the third of 5 of the indicted lawmakers to be convicted. It is only a matter of time before larger Alaskan fish going down. Up to possibly include US Senator Stevens and Rep. Young.

An interesting note to the whole thing. All of them are Republicans!

I would very much love to see Stevens and Young go down hard. They are both pieces of shit.

As far as all of these people being Republicans, that is only relevant in terms that they are the party in power in Alaska and the party in power is usually the one doing the shady brokering. It is certainly not a reflection of the party as a whole. A bunch of Democrats have been taken down on corruption and bribery charges in North Carolina, including the Speaker of the State House, who is now serving a five year prison sentence. Like the GOP in Alaska, the Democrats are the power brokers in North Carolina and the ones vulnerable to corruption.

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I dont disagree. The GOP in Alaska has long been a powerhouse of good ole boys. We have had the same 3 last names as our congressional delegation virtually my entire life. Alaskans by and large are fed up with it.

Stevens used to be beloved. We knew he was a shady, grumpy asshole. It didnt matter because he always brought home the bacon. When oil prices were down and the state was struggling in 98-01, Stevens was the appropriations committee chair and brought billions into the state.

Young was transportation chair, did the same thing. Now both are in hot water. In the past both have generally skated through thier elections with little trouble. He will probably win the GOP primary, but he has tough opposition in his own party. In the meantime, all of the younger democrats are throwing thier hats in the ring. In the meantime the DNP will be dumping tons of money against Young.

06 was the wildest elections in state history, the incumbent governor didnt win his primary. A small town mayor beat Murkowski and former 2 term and very popular governor Knowles, a state house seat that was a true tie and was decided by coin toss, it was wild. 08, might beat that.

Well there is an update to this thread even though it has been awhile. State Lawmaker Vic Kohring (r-Wasilla) has been sentanced to 42months in federal prison today. This was after he was convicted of bribery, conspiracy and attempted extortion.
Kohring sentenced to 3˝years in prison: Alaska News | adn.com

There is still much speculation on whether our federal delegation members Senator Stevens and Rep. Young will be indicted as well in a much larger case. Both are under federal investigation right now, and both houses of Congress have voted to investigate Young over the coconut road earmark.

So a small step for Alaskans to put this behind them, but there is still more to go.

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