The latest chapter in the ongoing Alaska corruption case began yesterday, with the trial of former Alaska state Rep. Vic Kohring.
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Kohring is accused of accepting bribes from VECO Corp., an oil-field services company that was bought in August by CH2M Hill. Although he acknowledges accepting money from former VECO CEO Bill Allen, Kohring says he did so as a friend receiving a gift.
Allen and former company VP Rick Smith have pleaded guilty to bribery charges. Another former state legislator, Pete Kott, was convicted in the case last month.
Although the charges have focused on state lawmakers, the investigation has received national attention because of
its possible impact on Alaska’s powerful U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. Allen was a big contributor to the campaigns of Stevens and many other Republicans.
The FBI also is investigating a remodeling project at the elder Stevens’s house in Girdwood, Alaska. At least one contractor has said invoices were first sent to VECO. Ted Stevens has said he paid every bill he received.
Allen testified last month that he had bribed Ben Stevens, former state Senate president and son of the U.S. senator. No criminal charges have been filed against Ted or Ben Stevens.
Stevens’ Republican colleagues in Congress have continued to support him despite the VECO cloud. His campaign chest for re-election in 2008 exceeds $1 million, including tens of thousands contributed by PACs and campaign funds controlled by GOP lawmakers.
Laurie Bennett contributed to this report
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