Verdict may have implications for Stevens

A jury found former Alaska state House Speaker Peter Kott (R) guilty of taking bribes from former Veco Chief Executive Bill Allen, a decision that may have implications for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who is under FBI investigation for his ties to Allen.

The Department of Justice announced the verdict Wednesday. During the 15-day trial in Anchorage, Allen testified that he paid for some of Stevens’s home renovations.

Kott, a member of the Alaska House from 1992 to 2006, was convicted of conspiracy, extortion under cover of official right and bribery. He faces a maximum of 35 years in jail; his sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7.

In exchange for assurances he would cast votes in Veco’s favor on a key petroleum production tax proposal, the jury found that Kott solicited bribes and received cash, checks and the promise of a future job with Veco. Trial evidence included more than 60 recordings of conversations involving Kott and former Veco executives.

The Associated Press last week reported that the FBI secretly had recorded two phone calls between Stevens and Allen.

Allen and former Veco Vice President Richard Smith pleaded guilty in May to providing more than $400,000 in corrupt payments to public officials from the state of Alaska.

“This verdict is an important victory for the people of Alaska, who deserve to expect honest, ethical representation from their elected officials,” Assistant Attorney General Fisher said. “I thank the prosecutors and the FBI and IRS agents who worked on this case. Their effort shows that the Department of Justice will work hard to bring to justice any elected officials who betray their duties to their constituents.”