No more jail for Kohring

Former Alaska legislator Vic Kohring will not serve additional jail time. A judge in federal court in Anchorage sentenced Kohring to 18 months probation today.

Kohring declined interview requests immediately after his sentencing, saying only, "I'd like to, but not today."

U.S. Attorney for Alaska Karen L. Loeffler said that Kohring's sentencing ends the five-year prosecution of public corruption in the state.

"We are done. This is over," Loeffler said.

U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline told Kohring that while the people who allegedly bribed him — oilfield services company executives Rick Smith and BIll Allen — were bad people, Kohring and the seven other state officials who assisted their malfesance were also cupable.

"They were only successful because people like you catered to their egos," the judge said.

But, he said, hopefully other state legislators have gotten the message. "Everyone now knows that it's not acceptable."

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.