Alaska state Sen. Cowdery indicted on corruption charges
Originally published Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
Updated Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.
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ANCHORAGE -- Another state legislator has been indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges in an ongoing federal investigation of corruption in Alaska politics that has led to convictions against three former lawmakers.
The two-count indictment against state Sen. John Cowdery was announced Thursday. Federal prosecutors allege that the Anchorage Republican conspired with executives of oil field services company VECO Corp. to bribe another unnamed state senator for votes to support oil and gas legislation.
Cowdery, a 78-year-old retired contractor, was in Juneau on Thursday. His attorney, Kevin Fitzgerald of Anchorage, said his client had not been arrested, but summoned to appear in court Aug. 11. Fitzgerald said Cowdery maintained his innocence.
"The claim is that the government misinterpreted the few comments he made," he said.
Cowdery checked out of his Juneau hotel early Thursday morning and was planning to catch a flight to Anchorage, according to Fitzgerald.
Two former VECO executives — ex-CEO Bill Allen and Rick Smith, a vice president — have been at the core of the federal investigation. The two pleaded guilty last year to bribing Alaska lawmakers and are assisting the government in the continuing investigation.
Two former state lawmakers, Pete Kott and Vic Kohring, are serving federal prison sentences following their convictions on corruption charges. Another former lawmaker, Bruce Weyhrauch, awaits trial. Another former lawmaker, Tom Anderson, was convicted of bribery in another case.
VECO had stood to gain lucrative contracts if the Legislature in 2006 passed a new oil tax. The government alleges Allen and Smith worked with Cowdery to offer the unnamed senator $25,000 — characterized as campaign contributions — to vote in favor of the legislation.
The 16-page indictment is filled with snippets of incriminating conversations that had apparently been recorded over a period of months in the spring and summer of 2006.
One exchange recounted in the court document has Allen, Cowdery and the unnamed senator at an Anchorage restaurant discussing the latter's need for money for an upcoming election campaign.
"I think we can make this work if you vote the way me and (another unnamed senator) were to vote," Cowdery is quoted. The meeting is clearly recorded, but the Department of Justice would not say how the recording was made.
"I can't say anything beyond what's in the indictment," said agency spokeswoman Laura Sweeney.
It's been nearly two years since the FBI raided the offices of six Alaska lawmakers, including Cowdery's office and then-Senate president Ben Stevens, whose father is veteran U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, also under federal scrutiny over his VECO ties.
Ben Stevens, who withdrew his re-election bid in 2006, has not been charged in the case.
Other offices raided belonged to Kohring, Kott, Weyhrauch and state Sen. Donny Olson. All are Republicans, except Olson, a Democrat.
At the time of the raids, Cowdery said he didn't know why he was targeted or why agents seized items "unrelated to anything," including the stubs of his legislative salary checks. "It's pretty bizarre," he said after the raid. "That's all I know, it's pretty bizarre. I certainly haven't done anything wrong."
Smith has testified in earlier trials that he bribed Cowdery but did not give details. Allen has testified that Cowdery was a part of his inner circle.
If convicted of both counts, Cowdery faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. His first court appearance was scheduled for Aug. 11.
Cowdery has been in ill health and missed much of the legislative sessions in the last year.
He is in his third term in the Senate. He also served three terms in the House
Soon after Cowdery's indictment was announced, Gov. Sarah Palin said it was disturbing to learn that another public official has been charged with violating the public's trust.
"I urge Senator Cowdery to step down, for the good of the state," Palin said in a prepared statement.
Last September Cowdery decided not to participate in a special session to raise the tax rates on the oil companies' net profits. A week earlier, Smith testified that Cowdery was among five lawmakers he bribed for favorable influence on oil tax legislation.
Olson, the Nome Democrat whose office was raided, said Thursday he hadn't seen the indictment against Cowdery and deferred most questions to his attorney, Paul Stockler, who did not immediately return calls for comment.
Olson has been participating in a second special session to review a gas pipeline proposal, seen occasionally joking with colleagues.
"Certainly I'm not afraid of what's going on," he said Thursday. "I've been cooperative with the FBI and I've been cooperative with the U.S. Attorney's office, as well."
Last month, Olson testified before a grand jury in Anchorage. Stockler said there was no indication his client was a target of the grand jury.
"We've been cooperating for some time and we have a written agreement with the government," he told the Anchorage Daily News at the time.
The elder Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young, both Alaska Republicans, are under investigation for their relationships with VECO executives. Neither has been charged and both deny wrongdoing.
Community Discussion
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Why is Ben Stevens still not indicted?
And the winner is...... Trans-Canada!
commensense, to keep you whining!
Is there anyone in Juneau who isn't crooked? Geez...How do we keep voting for these voodoo doctors? Have a nice day.
No offense intended if you are a voodoo doctor.
Sounds like "State Senator B" is Baby Ben.
Boy I wish they'd take that arrogant little....down.
Someone suggested to me that they might cut some kind of deal with Baby Ben and his Daddy-o--similar to what they did with Bill Allen so that his kids didn't get in trouble--to keep the Baby out of the spotlight (he's sure been laying low) and jail.
See www.alaskareport.com
Go to Corrupt B's Page, scroll down to see some of his other dealings, such as fisheries et al.
I am sure they have Ben Stevens dead to rights. Clean the small easy fish first and leave the big one to sweat it out until his time comes.
Ben's just mid-level management. There's some trophy fish yet to be hooked... if they follow through.
And yes, as a practicing Doctor of VooDoo, I'm -WAY- offended!! In fact, I'm reaching for my vexing doll and pins right now.
No matter which way we practitioners of Voodoo turn these days, whether at the stock yards, buying poultry for sacrifice, goats for blood-letting and drinking, or animal bones for crushing herbs and powders, or at the fabric store, buying scraps of cloth for our dolls, and the associated pins, we're frequently treated with disrespect. It rings true with the Old Testament of VooDoo Practice (The sacred OTVP-3rd edition), that we will be tormented and persecuted for our belief in VooDoo... (sigh).
Who else had those "Corrupt Bas***ds" hats in Juneau? I am thinking they are close to getting all of those guys. Cleaning up Juneau...one legislator at a time!
I see they updated the story.
I read the indictment. There is Cowdery, Senator A, and Senator B.
Dirk, I think the power Baby Ben had(s) in the richest state in the nation, especially in light of the favors his Daddy has done for him and their former staff, makes him big potatoes.
Besides, for arrogance, Baby takes the cake; he believed he was impermeable to the law, and I fear it may turn out he was right.
Go to that site. It at least has the most comprehensive list in one place that I'm aware of, of shady dealings.
Poor guy is going to go through a rough patch with this one. But he rolled the dice, he plays the game.
I echo the question about both Stevens' and Young. We need to clean house this election. If they do it afterwards, it will tell us all that they want the Governor to place our congressman and one of our senators.
Bye Bye Corrupt Ba$tard$.. Don't pass go, go directly to..... Club Fed! Brush up on your golf and tennis. This 2 tiered system makes me a little sick..
Corinne,
Baby Ben's only 'big potatoes' at the state level.
The other players involved likely include international corporations, and others who have yet to squirm.
Ben, as Presiednt of the Senate, was only a Big Time boy in THAT game. There's MUCH bigger games running.
Look at Knowle's questionable $400,000.00 slush fund, and trace the contributors of some of those funds to their current positions now. Some of them are similar to those associated with Jim Clark's indiscretions. (wink).
Then ask "Who had the most to gain in Murkie's oil and gas plans?"
The fisheries issues haven't been aired yet. We're still dealing with oil.
Where ever there's been a valuable resource that could be had more cheaply by greasing some greedy/guilty palms, some one has trasditionally tried to grease a few. Apallachia, Southern Illinois, the Northwest coast, and now Alaska.
No new patterns here. The indictments and subsequent convictions are somewhat new, though. Usually the oligarchy skates.
For all those who believe the Dem's are as guilty as the Republicans, why are they not getting the indictments? Must be some sort of left wing liberal press, Al Gore conspiracy or something, huh?
I'm still waiting to see the shoe drop on former Gov Murkowski. The way he sponsored most of the oil related bills, negotiated privately with oil companies, and the way he took off after being voted out, just seems quite suspicious.
The lawyers are the only ones to win.
Do we have a trend here or what? Alaska was settled by crooks and continues to be. This must be wear they get the saying half of the Alaskans are outlaws and the other half is on the secret witness protection program.
moondoggie
You've probably noticed that so far the only ones "crooked" in Juneau are sent to the Capitol from Anchorage. I agree - Anchorage - please stop sending those "voodoo doctors" (Corrupt Bastards, bums, whatever you want to call them) down to Juneau.
These are the guys that the out going president usually pardons.Possibly the Feds are waiting for a Democract
One more down, how many more to go?
Dirk-
I completely agree with what you say.
And Baby Ben's big potatoes are in Alaska; but there's tons of money to be made...you know how Alaska is: it's cronyism and nepotism.
But. Did you look at that website I gave above?
Fisheries issues have been reported; just not as much or as in depth as they should be.
Or the land deal for Seward's (or is it Soldotna...gotta recheck) Sea Life thing with Daddy's former staffer...all kinds of stuff.
I remember reading a blurb (about all it was) in the FDNM, and tried to follow it a little since.
www.alaskareport.com also goes into a bit of Knowles', uh, indiscretions.
There was something else I was going to point out, Dirk, but I got interrupted and can't remember right now...! And I can't read your comment 'cause I'm on preview...!
Anymore Alaska can sell the capitol. We will have empty rooms.
Speaking of Ben Stevens anyone know where he these days. Last I heard he had headed out to sea. At the rate the Feds are bringing them to trial, this could go on for many more years.
jack_river
7/10/2008, 2:18 p.m. Suggest removal
------>" moondoggie You've probably noticed that so far the only ones "crooked" in Juneau are sent to the Capitol from Anchorage. I agree - Anchorage - please stop sending those "voodoo doctors" (Corrupt Bastards, bums, whatever you want to call them) down to Juneau."<-----
Not all from Anchorage I am sure there are a couple of real quite sneaky snakes from Fairbanks/ North Pole that had fingers in the pie. Anybody that had anything to do with business etc.
Out with all the good ole boys give Alaska back to the people!!!
IF they're corrupt, throw 'em out. Hopefully they investigate everything stinky. I'm for replacing the whole bunch.
The whole bunch? So because the guys who call themselves conservative are being indicted we need to throw them all out? Sorry dvd this is a conservative problem. You might want to get your party to stop using that word when they refer to themselves I have'nt seen a true conservative since Goldwater.
YMBC - This is why you aren't capable of spoon feeding me. There is no "conservative" party; and dems are as corrupt as repubs in most cases (just ask William Jefferson D-La), which is why I do not consider myself to be Democrat or Republican.
However, since you fall into the genius-mold of "all things right: bad! all things left: good!", then you are the awesome culmination of all the left has been trying to create for years. Congratulations; experiment successful.
Jefferson? That is all you got!! I'll take your Jefferson and raise you with indicted Ney, Foley and throw in Cunningham for good measure.
Congratulations; experiment successful.
Genius...Thank You!
Yup. He's the only corrupt dem ever, not just one example. You are so smart. Harry Reid? Sandy Berger? Jim Hayes? Eliot Spitzer? Dianne Feinstein?
Amazingly, there is corruption in both major political parties. And bad folk with D AND R behind their name. Shocking, I know. Not as shocking as the reasons you'll pull out to defend them, or excuse them, or say ah but the other's corruption is so much worse...but I expect little else.
Harry Reid? Sandy Berger? Dianne Feinstein? are you kidding, your kidding right? That is funny!
Wouldn't want to spoon feed you.
The two-count indictment against state Sen. John Cowdery was announced Thursday. Federal prosecutors allege that the Anchorage Republican conspired with executives of oil field services company VECO Corp. to bribe another unnamed state senator for votes to support oil and gas legislation.
Plain and simple.
Yup. Talk about ducking and weaving... I never disagreed about this Republican's indictment - but hey, you got me, didn't you? Good job?
YMBC: Sandy Berger got popped for lifting classified documents from the National Archives before giving his testimony to the 9/11 Commission. He copped it down to a misdemeanor and got two years probation, a fine, had to do community service, and lost his security clearance for three years.
What he did was illegal. It was also very stupid. But it didn't prevent Hilary Clinton from hiring him as a foreign policy adviser during her campaign.
So I'm inclined to say that DVD wasn't kidding about that one.
We have always had the best Politicians money could buy,,looks like we are not spending enough to get the smart ones that dont get caught.
Yes, Berger got a Misd. for shoving stuff down his pants. Still does'nt account for the culture of corruption of BUSHco? Sad but true.
Hi Corinne,
Yes, Lisa had the land deal with Bob Penny; a man who rarely 'gives' anything away. Certainly not a $100,000.00 in land value. I understand a possible road was involved.
Donnie has Abramof-itis, and an aid who's been more severely afflicted with that 'bug.' He has other issues of indiscretion as well.
Ted wants us to believe he had no idea that Ben was affiliated with the corporation(s) that resulted in Ben pocketing $1 million dollars in 'consulting fees' originating from Dad's ear-marks.
Yes, the Seward Sea Life deal involved Ted & Trevor McCabe. Also VECO's favors to Ted's building projects. Nice 'gift.'
While there's been some reporting about the fisheries issues, and the feds reportedly have most/all of the associated evidence, nothing has come out officially yet about investigations.
There's also credible word about an investigation into Mark Begich, including his interchangable wording in reference to a 'gift' vs. a 'commission,' pertaining to a real estate deal. One interesting aspect of both Ted's and Don's 'success' involves their common business associates; two political opponents dealing with the same folks, making lots of money, often on public contracts.
One deal later saw Uncle Ted backing away from what had previously been regarded as tax-exempt income, related to military housing contracts.
I strongly suspect that at least two Interior delegates were either aware or involved in the current scandal re. oil and gas legislation & corruption.
I hate to admit it, as I don't care for his legislating his version of fundamentalist faith, but I strongly believe that Gene Therriault's holding Interior delegates' feet to the fire re. Murkie's oil and gas plans is what kept a (specific) couple of otherwise-straying local neo-cons on track with serving our interests, rather than catering to BP's, et al.
Gene has done well for us re. revenues from oil and gas, while gaining a clearer view (through significant studying) of past relationships between Big Oil and our state legislature.
I believe that this investigation is FAR from over with.
I believe that Benny is a weasel, who'd sell out his own father and step-mother, if it meant keeping himself out of a federal cell. In other words, a high-risk guy to commit felonies of a conspiracy sort with; like letting a thief hold your wallet for the night.
YMBC and akbearable, this current scandal is a Republican issue because the R's were in majority at the time, and because the R's have had the cozier relationship with the 'producers' over the last several decades; Tony knowles (the Dems version of Frank Murkowski in re. to 'oily dealings') not withstanding.
It doesn't pay well to buy votes from the minority; like buying a car with no motor when you needed to get some place today.. ;^>)
Correction:
The above wording, "One interesting aspect of both Ted's and Don's 'success' involves their common business associates; two political opponents dealing with the same folks, making lots of money, often on public contracts."
Should have referred to Ted Stevens and -Mark Begich-, not Ted Stevens and Don Young.
Sorry Don. (BTW, that's the only time I'll likely type THOSE two words in THIS life-time)
I agree Dirk, the Dems were not in the driver seat but it is only speculation on what they would have done if they had to heavy political hand.
The fact is, these men did use their seats of power in corrupt ways. They have been in power for a long time and they have come to show the American people that they cant be trusted. All of them? No, but the number of indictments and soon-to-be indictments in one party is staggering?
Speculating what the Dems could-of, would-of done is missing the point; there is a rotten group of men in the Republican party and they need to be rooted out and disposed of, politically. If the Rep. party does'nt do this they will be the minority party for a long time.
YMBC,
I'm not speculating what the Dems might've or might not've done had they been in charge. I'm explaining why the Repuiblicans were the folks who were requested to be 'on stage' to begin with.
I will assert that when it comes to running a tight ship, re. forcing partisan compliance with party leadership instructions, the Dems play every bit as much hard-ball as the Republicans. Thank goodness that there was dissention in the ranks of the Republicans on Murkie's oil and gfas dealings.
Remember that it was Ethan Berkowitz who stated (during the Republican legislative coup/mutiny) that "Pete Kott is an honorable man." Folks who will say anything to get ahead come in both red and blue colors, and then some.
Tony Knowles, a Democrat, was anything but a choir boy where favoritism toward the producers was concerned.
Remember? It was Ray Metcalfe, among several others, who signed on the dotted line, with no real money in his own pockets, bringing question to Knowles' effort to give ARCO what the FTC agreed amounted to a monopoly-like arrangement on the N. Slope?
Right now, the way that I feel, after watching the assaults on the Bill of Rights by BOTH parties, the partisanism on both sides, the spinelessness on the part of the Dems (not all but most) and the partisanism on the part of the majority of the Republicans, I wouldn't trade a plugged nickel for either party. I view them both as dire threats to the Bill of Rights, and, therefore, very real domestic enemies of the People, whether the People are awake enough yet to realize it or not.
Neither one is a friend of mine, nor are they looking out for your or my 'unalienable rights,' as they swore an oath that they would..
I'm with you. Wondering if you ever had the chance to meet Sam O. White (Ak Bush Pilot)? Great man. Jim Reardon put out a great book about him.
YMBC,
I never met the person you've referenced.
Here's a collection of noteworthy quotes I keep on my hard-drive and desk-top;
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"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." (Daniel Webster)
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Will you and your government teach eagles to fly and tigers to hunt? Of course not. No one is so arrogant with nature. But you and your government want to tell me what to buy and how to live, and I am more complex than any eagle or tiger. Give me only the same respect you pay the badger and the blue jay, and leave me alone." ~ (Allen Thornton)
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"Why of course the people don't want war ... But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."
(Hermann Goering, Nazi leader, at the Nuremberg Trials after World War II)
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"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.” - (Patrick Henry)
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These are words that I pay attention to, YMBC, because they have been, over time, in my opinion, proven to be truths.
It's unfortunate that nationalism, fear, greed, egotism, and partisanism seems to prevent so many persons from seeing more clearly. Those listed attributes, in my often-less-than-humble opinion, are some of our greatest 'enemies from within.'
Take care.
Thanks Dirk, I am putting it in my hard drive right now, thanks and have a great weekend.
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