July 20, 2007

Frontiersman Editorial

As Vic Kohring leaves the state House of Representatives office he's kept for 13 years to fight federal extortion and bribery charges, Alaska's longest-serving senator is concerned a corruption investigation could cause him “some trouble.” Sen. Ted Stevens, the 83-year-old senator who has held his post since 1968 and has announced his intention to run for another term, is being probed over a 2000 remodeling of his Girdwood home by VECO Corp. Co-Founder and CEO Bill Allen. Allen has pleaded guilty to bribing state legislators to help his oil field engineering company secure federal contracts amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

Former state Rep. Thomas Anderson was convicted earlier this month of extortion, bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. Anderson took money from an FBI source to further the business dealings of a business represented by the source.

Stevens' partner in serving Alaska in Washington, D.C., Rep. Don Young, has recently been scrutinized for inserting transportation money for a Florida highway project. The New York Times reports Young put the money into the 2006 spending bill after a local real estate developer who could benefit from the appropriation raised money for the lawmaker.

In addition to the VECO shadow that looms over Stevens and Kohring (yes, his charges stem from his alleged dealings with VECO), Young's campaign has benefited by a reported $138,000 from VECO-related donations.

Alaska politics finds itself under a cloud of suspicion. The alleged actions of a few damages the credibility of our state - from the top down.

Kohring, who has vehemently maintained his innocence, has espoused about his love of serving in the Legislature. During his resignation speech, he proclaimed he intends to prove he's in the right and run for office again.

Wes Keller has been chosen to finish Kohring's term as the state's District 14 representative. While we admire Kohring's love of public service, as long as he's under federal indictment it's appropriate he be away from conducting the public's business.

Kohring speaks very politely, intelligently and for the most part has been an effective legislator for the Mat-Su Valley. Now he needs to step away clean. No one should know better about avoiding even the appearance of impropriety than a politician, and Kohring's a veteran.

Keller and the rest of the state Republicans face a lot of damage control, as does Alaska. We can't rely on federal law enforcement agencies to be the only accountability lawmakers face when they stray from the path.

As residents and voters, that's our responsibility.