Federal judge denies Kohring's request for self-surrender extension

A federal judge Wednesday denied a request from former state Rep. Vic Kohring to have his June 30 self-surrender date extended by 60 days.

Kohring, who had spinal surgery at the end of May, wrote in an e-mail he is still dealing with rehab issues stemming from that surgery.

His motion asked federal judge John Sedwick, the same judge who sentenced Kohring to three-and-a-half years in prison, for the extension because of continuing issues resulting from his spinal surgery.

“I’m seeking additional time through a motion to address the multitude of spinal problems I have,” Kohring wrote in an e-mail before his hearing. “But I’m not optimistic.”

Kohring has accused Sedwick of bias because Sedwick's wife was an ardent political opponent during Kohring's time in the state House.

Rich Curtner, Kohring’s appointed federal defender, said Sedwick is allowing Kohring to surrender to federal marshals in Anchorage on June 30, instead of providing his own transportation to the minimum-security prison in Taft, Calif.

Curtner said prisoners are often allowed to turn themselves in at the prison where a sentence will be served so they can arrive without law enforcement officials.

Kohring, who has said he is broke after the court battle that saw him convicted of bribery, conspiracy and attempted extortion after accepting money from former VECO CEO Bill Allen, did not have the funds to get himself to Taft, Curtner said.

He added Kohring’s medical records will be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

In his e-mail sent before today’s hearing, Kohring did not appear confident in what the outcome would be.

“The court has been abusive to me throughout this process, and even though I have serious medical needs, I don't expect them to be met,” he wrote.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.