State Senator John Cowdery Pleads Guilty. 10 Up – 10 Down.
19 12 2008
If you’re keeping score, (and who isn’t) you can now update your score card to:
FBI: 10 ~ Corrupt Bastards Club: 0
Alaska State Senator John Cowdery (R) will plead guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion. The government dropped a second bribery charge in exchange for the guilty plea.
As part of the deal, the government will recommend to U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline that Cowdery, 78, be sentenced to home confinement and not prison, Fitzgerald said. Cowdery is in poor health and appeared at a hearing earlier this week in a wheelchair.
The government will also recommend a fine in the range of $7,500 to $75,000, Fitzgerald said.
[snip]
Cowdery was in his legislative office in downtown Anchorage on Aug. 31, 2006, when a squad of federal agents descended on the building. His office was one of the targets of the search warrants being executed by the agents.
Cowdery, then using a walker, met with agents in a conference room, then shuffled back to his own office surrounded by reporters. Asked by one whether he was under investigation, Cowdery replied, “I don’t think so.”
But Cowdery’s name figured prominently in the investigation and in some of the early corruption trials involving other lawmakers. Bill Allen, the government’s lead witness, has described him as a friend and a man with a similar background in the construction business.
Allen has pleaded guilty to bribing a host of legislators and is one of Cowdery’s alleged coconspirators in an effort to bribe another state senator. That senator, identified in Cowdery’s indictment as “State Senator A,” didn’t take the money — $25,000 in illegal campaign donations — and hasn’t been charged.
Senator A has been identified in media accounts as Sen. Donny Olson, D-Nome, who was running for lieutenant governor in 2006. Olson told reporters he was cooperating with the federal investigation.
Like the cases against other state legislators, the charge against Cowdery involved Allen’s effort to win favorable oil-tax legislation for the state’s oil producers in 2006.
One of the other offices targeted in that famous FBI raid was that of then Senate President Ben Stevens, (fondly known to Alaskans as “Senator B”) son of outgoing U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, who was just convicted on seven felony counts. The Stevenses are knee deep in other matters of corruption which have yet to be dissected in the public eye.
I’m guessing that Bill Allen has dropped off many many Christmas card lists in the last two years.
I’m glad the FBI had the courtesy to wait a little while. We need to spread this stuff out, or it would be just too overwhelming. I’d like to put my request in for late February, or early March for the next round of indictments. Do you guys take requests?
December 19th, 2008 at 2:47 PM
UUhm, yes.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I do so hope they take requests. I think Feb. or March would be great, just in time to counteract the late winter doldrums.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I dunno, Sheri Johnston stole the news today!
December 19th, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Cowdery sounds like cow dung. A lot of sh*t.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Ten green bottles, sitting on a wall
Ten green bottles, sitting on a wall
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall …………
There may be ten in the song, but how many in AK?
December 19th, 2008 at 3:08 PM
AK — do you guys take requests?
Why? how much are you offering, this is gold ya know!
Oops, been reading too many pol stories………….
December 19th, 2008 at 3:09 PM
AKM: Is it in the water up there?
December 19th, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Hey, I was just getting my head to stop shaking from the Levi’s Mother post, now here you go again. I may have to start taking dramamine. Does it ever stop?
December 19th, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Sarah must feel the target on her backside growing……..
December 19th, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Just checking something from the last thread. I believe Bristol’s baby is already due. According to Levi’s interview in October with the Chicago Tribune, the due date was December 18.
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/oct/14/nation/chi-talk-levi-newoct14
December 19th, 2008 at 3:46 PM
More recent interviews with SP’s father indicate that the baby is due on 20 Dec., so tomorrow: http://popular-culture.families.com/blog/bristol-palin-prepping-for-baby-boy
December 19th, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Can someone please list the 10 legislators refered to in this thread?
December 19th, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I read this earlier on ADN; is Alaska now number one in the Most Corrupt State Club, or is LA? IL? (did anyone watch Gov Blago’s 90 second press conference, where he quoted Kipling- bizarre), N DAK?
December 19th, 2008 at 4:01 PM
@TMH (15:53:04) :
Not actually all legislators:
Convicted:
Fmr. AK Rep. Tom Anderson
Fmr. AK Rep. Pete Kott
Fmr. AK Rep. Vic Kohring
Fmr. US Sen. Ted Stevens
Pled Guilty:
Fmr. VECO Prez and CEO Bill Allen
Fmr. VECO VP Rick Smith
Murky Chief of Staff Jim Clark
Bill Bobrick (a lobbiest in Anch.)
Bill Weimar (lobbiest for prison stuff)
Fmr. AK Sen. John Cowdery
Still awaiting trial:
Fmr. AK Rep Bruce Weyhrauch
December 19th, 2008 at 4:09 PM
@CO almost native (15:56:33) :
Here’s an article from the NY Times about just that: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/weekinreview/14marsh.html
December 19th, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Oh, I should have included this link: http://community.adn.com/adn/node/112569 in my previous post about convicted officials. It’s a good summary page.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:20 PM
December 19th, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Wow… even soap-operas only have this much action during sweeps-week!
(*…settles the popcorn and tasty beverage, briskly rubs palms together, snuggled deep into the comfy-chair to wait for the Alaskan juiciness yet to come….*)
December 19th, 2008 at 4:24 PM
I wonder what makes these elderly men – Stevens, Young, Cowdery and who knows whom else – choose to end their days in ignominy. Is it because they have nothing to lose? Do they just grow increasingly corrupt until they can’t tell the difference?
They’re an excellent argument for a compulsory retirement age for politicians.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:43 PM
@ Aussie Blue SkyNo Gravatar (16:24:54) :
I wonder what makes these elderly men – Stevens, Young, Cowdery and who knows whom else – choose to end their days in ignominy. Is it because they have nothing to lose? Do they just grow increasingly corrupt until they can’t tell the difference?
They’re an excellent argument for a compulsory retirement age for politicians.
________________
Or may be they’d just get caught younger.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:18 PM
KO is all over the drug bust !!! The teaser into the show is a scream !!! It will be on twice tonite !!!! He shows Sarah also….
December 19th, 2008 at 5:25 PM
AKM and your fellow Alaskans I am just so sorry at this point. I don’t even know what to say. Lordy I am shaking my head.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:31 PM
@Proud Community OrganizerWA (17:25:35) :
As are we, dear friends, as are we…
December 19th, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Can’t wait until Barbie is added to the list!!!
A dogs must have their day
er: Pigs 
December 19th, 2008 at 5:51 PM
AKM, start a baby pool regarding Bristol’s baby! We can bet on delivery day, and also on boy,girl, or Trig.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:52 PM
If these jack@sses had the sense to retire before age 70 they could live out their lives in dignity, but they are so sure that they are to clever to ever be caught. I guess they feel too important for anyone to touch them.
They don’t need a compulsory retirement age, they need to be smart enough to know when to retire.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:54 PM
All that will be left is burning embers………poor kids…..
December 19th, 2008 at 6:11 PM
LOL! Guy on Olbermann’s show just suggested they name Bristol & Levi’s baby “Crystal”.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:14 PM
I am so worn out by inept, corrupt, lazy, business as usual politicians that I think we need to re-think the rules of electoral politics. Never a fan of term limits but maybe we should revisit. Finance reform? Pretty sure it’s needed. I spent the best years of my life working for the best and brightest in Illniois politics. Some won and some lost. Damn, the good ones were good. But what to do with the bad guys who have won. Same as AK.
I know evryone is mad at Obama about the Rick Warren thing (me too) but let’s remember why we worked so hard for him.) Give him some space to get his act together. Against incredible odds (thanks GW) I’m hopeful.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:18 PM
“They don’t need a compulsory retirement age, they need to be smart enough to know when to retire.”
I think they do need a compulsory retirement age in public service, b/c if dementia or alzheimers is unfortunately bestowed upon them, they can’t make that decision to retire or any appropriate decisions for the people they represent. Look at all those aged, unproductive senators and congressman…taking up space and useless…allowed to stay because of loyalty (keep getting voted in) or their term isn’t up. In a corporate world, retirement or termination is forced if you aren’t meeting standards.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:27 PM
ds55 – you forgot the boys name – Methew……..were those guys funny or what !?!?!
December 19th, 2008 at 6:39 PM
@ A Fan from chicago
I know evryone is mad at Obama about the Rick Warren thing (me too) but let’s remember why we worked so hard for him.) Give him some space to get his act together. Against incredible odds (thanks GW) I’m hopeful.
————————————————–
I am not mad at Obama every thing that he does is done with very careful planning well in advance..so why he chose warren is beyond me- but he did it for a very careful reason and we have to trust that-he led a awesome campaign
December 19th, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Actually the problem if corruption is greatest where one party is in power too long and oversight does not exist. That’s what happened in Ohio.
PA may be the exception. Both parties practice corruption together. The latest is giving bonuses indiscriminately to government employees and legislative staffers. Most states strictly prohibit this practice. Of particular interest are the 23 people who manage the teacher’s pensions. They received over $800,000 in year end bonuses at a time when the whole fund tanked. Now Harrisburg has to change the laws. As in AK, they went too far.
AK is no worse than most other states in corruption. A vigilant citizenry is necessary everywhere. I just didn’t know that Alaska ranks with MS in standards for it’s citizens. For a wealthy state to not care about its citizens and to look the other way at all the graft says alot. What does it take to change that culture?
December 19th, 2008 at 7:28 PM
When he gave his speech on Nov. 4, Barack Obama reminded us all that he is EVERYONE’S President. That would include Christians (or evangelicals or fundamentalists, as they are sometimes called). He also said that his administration would include everyone, and he is–he has asked Rick Warren to participate in the inauguration ceremony. I love and admire Barack for doing this. He is true to his word. He will include those who agree with him and those who do not. Remember, as well, that Rick Warren invited Barack to speak at his church, knowing that Barack did not agree with him on some issues. They are both admirable men who are demonstrating that we do not have to agree on EVERYTHING in order to work together. We MUST work together in order to end the partisan bickering and divisiveness; if we are going to change our country for the better, we must include everyone and work together. Barack Obama is showing us how by doing so himself; I trust him to lead us to it!
December 19th, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Alaska seems to be the most corrupt state in the USA. What is going on? Hopefully Palin will not get a deal and spend the rest of her life in jail!
December 19th, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Does anyone else get the comic strip “Prickly City?” If not you should go and look it up. I am not saying I am giving up yet or anything close to that. I am just saying that I reserve my guarded cynicism that I have developed over my lifetime. And am certainly glad that I did not and would not rush out for a big “O” tattoo. All politicians are people and therefore subject to failure just like the rest of us….the only difference is that they do it in a MUCH more public fashion.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Ya know it is funny that in all of the lists of corrupt states that AK is not making the top 5. I have not seen the whole list to see where they fall in all categories because there were different ways of being corrupt. Maybe all of the Alaska stuff is just too new for the rankings to have been updated. Plus most of the country is still getting used to the idea that AK is part of the country
December 19th, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Now they’ll have to name the baby Foxy Connie… or sumpthin.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:22 PM
The father’s name is Levi….how about Lee, Wrangler, ….or …. OshKosh?
December 19th, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Oshkosh U. Betcha Palin
Oshkosh B’Gosh Palin
inspired!
December 19th, 2008 at 11:35 PM
@whichferret (20:24:53) :
I think we were #3 on one of those recent lists…
December 20th, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Requests ?
“Chain Gang”
(Hooh! aah!) (hooh! aah!)
(Well, don’t you know)
That’s the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang…
: )
December 20th, 2008 at 5:25 AM
It’s officially Saturday – the newest Palin pup is due today !! Wonder if Sherry “oxy” Johnston will be there for the miracle……does anybody know who Levis father is ???
December 20th, 2008 at 5:56 AM
I don’t know..hmm…I don’t remember hearing his name, although I think they tried to stay out of the limelight. Is Levi still up in the AK oil fields, working to provide for his family?
Once the campaign was over, all the kids, relatives, potential in-laws disappeared-
December 20th, 2008 at 8:55 AM
YEP – so did the Dr. that delivered Trig………Sarah had even appointed the Dr. to a state board…….yet still M.I.A…..wassup with that crap ???
December 20th, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Sherry Johnston, the soon to be mother in law of Bristol Palin has been arrested for presumably manufacturing crystal meth and attempting to distribute it. When Bristol and Levi get married, by law the Johnston clan will be related to the Plain clan.
During Sarah Palin’s Vice Presidential campaign she accused President-Elect Obama of “Pallin’ around with terrorists”. By her very own definition, Sarah Palin is “Pallin’ around” with drug dealers. Is this dolt aware of her hypocrisy.?
What drug user in Wisilla did she hire to set the fire in her church? That’s the million dollar question and we demand some answers.
By the way, If it’s a girl, Bristol and Levi should name the baby Crystal and if the baby is a boy, they should name him Methew (Meth for short)
December 20th, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Virgin Mary Oxy Christmas……..kind of has a jingle to it………….
December 20th, 2008 at 2:23 PM
WV: it’s not the water but the oil….
December 20th, 2008 at 6:46 PM
No need to spread out the indictments.
Indict all you want.
We’ve got plenty of Republicans to go around.
December 20th, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Speaking of baby names…I have a relative by marriage that has named his first child Mercedes, his second child, Lexus, and his third child (a boy) Ford. Here’s hoping he doesn’t have any more…