Jurors probed about media coverage

ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s legislative corruption scandal has not been on the radar of many of former state House Rep. Vic Kohring’s potential jurors.

Kohring’s trial on federal charges of bribery, corruption and conspiracy opened in Anchorage Monday.

Considerable media that has covered Kohring’s indictment, as well as the trials and convictions of former state Reps. Pete Kott and Tom Anderson, has apparently had little influence on those reporting for jury duty Monday.

Kohring’s defense and federal prosecutors used the first day of jury selection in Kohring’s trial process to gauge how much influence media coverage has had on potential jurors.

While many jurors subscribe to print media, far fewer said they read front-page articles. Many peruse sports, weather and headlines.

Kohring is accused of accepting money from former VECO CEO Bill Allen in return for his vote on the Petroleum Profits Tax legislation. Kohring has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has maintained he and Allen were friends.

An amended indictment against the former seven-time state legislator says Kohring may have been under the influence of VECO Corp. since 2002.

In the indictment, released Oct. 4, federal investigators allege that as early as January 2002 Kohring was provided cash payments of about $500 to $1,000 by Allen and former VECO VP Rick Smith to reward Kohring for “official acts taken and to be taken regarding [Allen] and [Smith’s] business interests.”

The superseding indictment also alleges that Kohring, at the behest of Allen, laid off his aide, Eric Musser, who had filed a complaint with the Alaska Public Offices Commission against former Rep. Beverly Masek, whom Allen and VECO supported.

One by one Monday, 70 potential jurors filed into Courtroom No. 3 of the U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse in Anchorage in random order. U.S. District Court Judge John W. Sedwick questioned the group to determine if they had been influenced by media coverage of Kohring, Kott, Anderson, Allen and Smith.

Kohring seemed in good spirits as he helped his attorney, Seattle-based John Henry Browne, screen potential jurors. The court had questioned 50 jurors by 4 p.m. During a short break in the selection process, Browne said he is looking to empanel a fair jury.

“I think we’re making inroads there,” Browne said.

Last week, Judge Sedwick reprimanded Kohring and Browne for information they released to the press. The judge admonished the pair to try their case in court, not in the media.

Sedwick had to reel Browne in again during the jury selection on Monday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bottini said Browne could be influencing the jurors in a way that could come into play later in the trial. Browne said to several potential jurors they provided more thoughtful answers than other potential jurors.

Sedwick agreed with Bottini and asked Browne to cease.

Jury selection continues today and opening arguments are expected to begin Wednesday.