Kohring sentencing delayed

MAT-SU — Former state Rep. Vic Kohring has beat back his day of sentencing with an appeal for a new trial and to disqualify the judge who found him guilty.

Facing sentencing on his late 2007 convictions on corruption, bribery and attempted extortion charges, Kohring is asking U.S. District Court Chief Judge John Sedwick to overrule the convictions or order a new trial. The motion also asks Sedwick be recused from handling Kohring’s case. Kohring was to be sentenced Wednesday, but that was pushed back to consider his motions.

Before Kohring's October 2007 trial, Sedwick denied appeals by the ex-legislator and his attorney, Seattle-based John Henry Browne, to move the trial to Seattle and disregard certain evidence. Kohring’s motion accuses Sedwick of being biased as a result of a previous political disagreement between Kohring and Sedwick's wife.

Judge Sedwick referred Kohring's appeal to Judge H. Russell Holland. Holland interpreted Kohring's appeal and placed the decision back with Sedwick. Sedwick has until Feb. 25 to decide whether or not to recuse himself and Kohring has until March 10 react to Sedwick's decision.

Kohring, a seven-term Republican representative from Wasilla, was convicted of three counts of conspiracy, attempted extortion and bribery in a Federal political corruption case late last year.

Kohring benefited from and contributed to the cash and influence former VECO oil services company executives Bill Allen and Rick Smith meted out to at least a dozen state legislators for more than a decade. Kohring was found guilty of selling his influence and vote for multiple cash payments totaling an estimated $2,600.

During Kohring’s trial, testimony and surveillance video showed Allen and Smith meeting with Kohring and other legislators in room 604 of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau. The Federal Bureau of Investigation bugged the room in 2005 and recorded thousands of hours of audio and video. Kohring and former House speaker Pete Kott were convicted of bribery and conspiracy, and the surveillance and testimony was used at both their trials.

Federal prosecutors Joseph Bottini and Edward Sullivan have asked Judge Sedwick to impose a five-year prison sentence on Kohring. Kott was sentenced to three years. The federal government is also asking for Kohring to be fined $24,244.

Bottini and Sullivan wrote in their sentencing memorandum that Sedwick should take into account Kohring's repeat offenses. He accepted multiple bribes from Allen and Smith and conspired with the executives on multiple occasions.

Kohring referred questions about the motions to his attorney. Repeated attempts to reach Browne before press time were unsuccessful.