Allen says he bribed Stevens, Young

ANCHORAGE — Former state House Rep. Vic Kohring took a back seat at his own trial Monday as former VECO CEO Bill Allen testified that in addition to state lawmakers, he also bribed U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young.

Allen testified about a 2005 incident where he thought an Australian company decided not to buy VECO because VECO President Pete Lethard made an intoxicated slip and revealed the company's practice of bribery.

Federal prosecutors Joseph Bottini and Edward Sullivan appeared confident as they closed their case against Kohring at about 4 p.m. Monday. Allen spent the final two days of the prosecution’s case on the witness stand. During his testimony, he revealed how he and former VECO vice president Rick Smith gave money to Kohring in exchange for his support in working in VECO’s interest on legislation.

Kohring, a seven-time former state House representative for District 14, is charged with bribery, corruption and extortion.

His attorney, Seattle-based John Henry Browne, said he may waive his turn at presenting a case to the jury. He believes the government has not met its burden of proof and will make a decision about putting on a defense sometime before 9 a.m. this morning.

Browne has been trying to show the jury that Kohring is an affable character and naturally helpful. His actions on secret video and audio surveillance tapes saying he wanted to help Allen and VECO are examples of that, not of making promises in exchange for cash.

Browne asked U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick Monday if he could call witnesses who would testify that Kohring has a habit of asking, “What can I do for you?” Sedwick denied the request.

Kohring’s public corruption trial follows that of former state Reps. Pete Kott and Tom Anderson, both of whom were convicted. Anderson was sentenced to five years in prison. Kott is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 7.

Browne questioned Allen about home improvement — specifically, controversial improvements VECO is alleged to have made to Stevens’ home in Girdwood. Allen said he is helping the government in its investigation of Senator Stevens. The former VECO executive also testified he has implicated Stevens’ son Ben Stevens, former state Senate president and Republican Committee member.

In addition to giving Kohring money on several occasions, Allen testified he asked Kohring on two occasions to not challenge state Senate President Lyda Green for the Wasilla Senate seat. Allen did not say why he preferred Green retain her office.

Browne has attempted to portray Allen and Smith as men who bent government officials to their will with handfuls of cash and bogus contracts, and as alcoholic liars.

And as Allen sat in the witness chair Monday, his eyes blinking and his spotted hands fumbling with large hearing aids, Allen seemed subdued from the man who is heard using two related expletives 38 times in a five-minute video.

Browne said different sides of Allen were on display during his testimony.

“Do you normally talk the way you did on this tape?” Browne asked.

“No,” Allen responded.

Allen and Smith testified as part of a plea arrangement with federal prosecutors.

With his plea agreement, Allen saved his three children from a similar fate.

A meeting between Judge Sedwick, Browne and prosecuting attorneys spelled out the limits Browne could test in his cross-examination of Allen and Smith. The limits were to prevent Browne and Allen from revealing facts from the FBI’s ongoing investigations not related to Kohring’s case, Sedwick said.

Frank Pruitt, who volunteered to help the FBI investigate legislator corruption, testified Monday about secretly recorded video of himself and Kohring eating diner. In the grainy video Pruitt said he seeded the conversation with topics given him by the FBI, like “Rick Smith” or “VECO consulting jobs.”

Browne said Pruitt’s testimony is tainted by his request that the FBI pay him for his informant work. Pruitt said he didn’t realize when he first pleaded that helping the government conduct its investigation would be so time consuming.

Contact Russell Stigall at www.russellstigall.com.