Alaska Political Corruption Probe - Indictment, Arrest of Kott, Kohring and Weyhrauch

Indictment, Arrest of Kott, Kohring and Weyhrauch

On May 4, 2007, former Representatives Pete Kott (R-Eagle River) and Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau) were arrested and charged with bribery, extortion wire and mail fraud. Then-Representative Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla) later turned himself in and was similarly charged. All three were arraigned in Juneau. Charges against the three involved allegations of soliciting and receiving money and favors from VECO chief executive officer Bill Allen and chief lobbyist and V.P. Rick Smith in return for their votes on an oil tax law favored by the VECO that was the subject of vigorous debate during the 2006 legislative session and two special sessions in 2006.

Kott and Kohring were both convicted, but their convictions were later vacated due to miscondict by the prosecuting attorneys. In 2011 both agreed to plead guilty. Prosecutors agreed to recommend both men be sentenced to time served and subject to conditions upon release.

Of the original 6 lawmakers who had their legislative offices searched, only State Senator Don Olson (D-Nome) was not implicated in the scandal.