Green surprised by former VECO chief’s testimony

MAT-SU — As the state Legislature prepares to end a month-long special session by successfully passing new oil tax reform, the fallout from convictions of former state lawmakers continues.

It was during last month’s bribery and corruption trial of former state Rep. Vic Kohring, R-Wasilla, that former VECO CEO Bill Allen testified that on two occasions he convinced the former Wasilla lawmaker to not run against state Senate President Lyda Green. This revelation was used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal prosecutors to help make their case that the Wasilla Republican was beholden to the wishes of VECO executives. Kohring was convicted of bribery, attempted extortion and conspiracy.

That she was a favored legislator of Allen or VECO was news to Green, R-Wasilla, who said after Kohring’s conviction she never had any improper contact with Allen or VECO. Green said she has no idea why Allen would convince Kohring not to run against her and she had no idea at the time Kohring was considering it. She also said has been saddened to see Kohring, a friend, go through his public trial, along with other former state legislators Tom Anderson and Pete Kott, who were also convicted of corruption.

Green, an educator and business owner, was first elected to the state Senate in 1997. Since 1998, Alaska Public Offices Commission records show Green has accepted at least $15,000 from VECO Corp. for her campaigns. In that same time, VECO contributed to many local and national political campaigns. The top six beneficiaries of VECO’s political generosity received about $866,000 total, records show. These were legal contributions reported to APOC.

Green, who has never been charged or officially implicated in any wrongdoing, was a vocal opponent of the Petroleum Profits Tax, which this past week was replaced during a special session of the Legislature with another oil tax plan that taxes the oil industry at a higher rate. Gov. Sarah Palin called the special session because she said the PPT, which was at the heart of the charges against Anderson, Kott and Kohring, was tainted by corruption.

Contacted by the Frontiersman following Kohring’s conviction, Green said she was not beholden to Allen or VECO and has never done anything improper as a member of the state Senate. She acknowledged the convictions of former legislators may affect the public’s trust in lawmakers overall. Most lawmakers are simple, honest residents working in good faith and guided by their beliefs, she said.

Allen’s testimony during Kohring’s trial last month also showed Rep. Bev Masek, R-Willow, was another of the former VECO executive’s political favorites. Allen said he convinced Kohring to fire his aide, Eric Musser, who alleged Masek had misused campaign contributions. Allen said he liked Masek’s voting record, was irked when Musser blew the whistle on her and asked Kohring to fire him.

Kohring denies he fired Musser at the behest of Allen.

Managing editor Greg Johnson contributed to this report.