Former Alaska Lawmaker Guilty of Bribery (Republican)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian/Associated Press

Former Alaska Lawmaker Guilty of Bribery

Tuesday July 10, 2007 2:31 AM


AP Photo AKAG104, AKAG102, AKAG103, AKAG101

By DAN JOLING

Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A former Alaska lawmaker accused of getting thousands of dollars out of a corrections-company consultant in exchange for his help in the Legislature was convicted of bribery Monday.

``I'm devastated,'' former state Rep. Tom Anderson said after the federal jury announced its verdict.

Anderson, 39, was accused of conspiring to take money he thought was coming from a private prison firm, Cornell Industries, Inc.

The money was supplied by the FBI through an informant working for Cornell who secretly recorded his conversations with Anderson and a co-conspirator, former municipal lobbyist Bill Bobrick.

Anderson was one of four current or former Alaska state lawmakers facing federal bribery indictments. The other three face trial this fall for charges related Anchorage-based oil field services company VECO Corp.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6768492,00.html

[graegoyle]

1. Typical:

``I'm devastated,'' former state Rep. Tom Anderson said after the federal jury announced its verdict.

But only because he got caught; otherwise, he'd be laughing all the way to the bank. Literally.

[redphish]

2. Like a murderer apologizing to his victim's family.

It's amazing how humble you can seem to be after you've been caught.

Edit: Grammer could be better, damn tequila.

[graegoyle]

3. Excellent word usage:

It's amazing how humble you can seem after you've been caught.

"Seem" instead of "be". Good work.

[graegoyle]

4. The original was better.

The grammar was just fine, as well.

[callous taoboy]

5. I'm in Anchorage visiting friends....

and have been watching this trial in the paper with GLEE. WOO HOO!!!!!!

[roguevalley]

9. only the start of many. even the gov, palin, says so. i cannot WAIT

for young and both stevens. :0)

[Tigress DEM]

6. reThugs have a strange idea of what it is to be a legislator...

From the Guardian.co.uk article

<snip>

``I think the prosecution has criminalized being a legislator over the last year,'' Anderson said. ``I think I fell victim to that.''

further down

<snip>

Anderson was arrested Dec. 7 and charged with seven felonies, including conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and interfering with commerce, a charge connected to a demand for payments. He faces a maximum penalty of 115 years in prison and a $1.75 million fine.

SINCE WHEN does the PROSECUTION determine what is a FELONY in a state?

[formercia]

7. This is what happens when a Mob Family comes to power

all the petty gangster wannabes ride the wave.



Shore Break. Short ride.

[LeftishBrit]

8. What are these 'private prison firms' all about?

Especially as it sounds like everyone connected with this firm belongs in prison anyway!

[eppur_se_muova]

10. (Redundant) nt