Corrupt Bastards Club – 10 Up, 10 Down.
A new development from the “Corrupt Bastards Club”! It’s funny to think back when the tales of miscreant legislators selling their souls and their offices for a song to oil services company Veco, was the big news in Alaska politics. Nobody was thinking about Ted Stevens or Sarah Palin back then. The names in the news were Tom Anderson, Bill Allen, Rick Smith, Vic Koring, Pete Kott and a slew of others… virtual unknowns to the national scene where the rest of Alaska politics seems to be playing out these days.
But after a long string of the following scenario: Caught red handed, charged by the FBI, pleaded not guilty, convicted, sent to prison, we now have a different chain of events.
John Cowdery, unlike his corrupt bastard predecessors, has admitted guilt. Seeing how the story played out for his guilty compatriots who were dragged off to prison, kicking and screaming, and proclaiming their innocence, he decided to take a different strategy. The guilty plea coupled with his failing health and a stack of letters from politicians, lobbyists, friends and family, Cowdery hopes, will buy him a light sentence and a dinky little fine.
Cowdery is the 10th personto be convicted in the broad federal corruption investigation in Alaska, with one other legislator awaiting trial. A Republican who spent most of his working life as a contractor, Cowdery represented parts of the Anchorage Hillside and the Lake Otis Parkway area for 14 years in the Alaska House and Senate.
Veco, an oil field service company, and Allen have been at the center of the investigation. Cowdery said he became friends with Allen years ago when both were contractors with similar backgrounds: poorly educated men who dropped out of school at an early age and turned to construction to support themselves and their families, eventually owning successful businesses.
Cowdery’s crime? Conspiring with Bill Allen, CEO of Veco Corp. to buy another Legislator’s vote for an oil tax that would be favorable to Veco. But Senator Donny Olson from Nome, didn’t play, and all the while the FBI was watching and listening. That’s back when legislators thought nobody cared.
…two prosecutors in the case,Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Goeke and trial attorney Edward Sullivan of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section in Washington, said Cowdery was a corrupting force in the Legislature.
“It cannot be disputed that the defendant’s crime, particularly given his past leadership roles in the Alaska State Senate, has struck a severe blow to the public’s faith in the Alaska State Legislature and their elected leaders,” Goeke and Sullivan wrote in the government’s memorandum.
Yup. No doubt about that. So, what will happen now? What’s the consequence for selling out the people of Alaska? For using one’s elected office as a vehicle for personal gain? For trying to spread the corruption around to other elected officials? For undermining a people’s faith in representative democracy? For trying to manipulate legislation that will take money out of the pockets of the state, and put it into the pockets of the oil companies….which sounds an awful lot like stealing….?
One year of home confinement (with freedom to come and go for medical appointments), a $25,000 fine, and dropping an additional bribery charge in exchange for a guilty plea.
Just to be clear, that’s what the prosecution wants. The defense is not happy with that. This is way too harsh, they think. They’d like six months home confinement and a $2000 fine.
Any why, pray tell, should we cut the time at home in half, and the fine down to less than 1/12 of the amount at issue in the actual bribery allegation? The defense reminds us that: his health is bad, he agreed to admit his guilt, he was an attentive Grandpa, he has already ‘suffered enough’ in public opinion and press coverage, and he has a long career in public service (in which we are to assume that he was pure as the driven snow, and never did any other bad thing, until this last one that the FBI just happened to notice). I’m sure if Mr. Cowdery had been a veteran, a boy scout leader, or a church elder, we would have heard about that too.
Perhaps the jails should be cleansed of all non-violent offenders who admit their guilt, have suffered enough, have contributed to their communities, whose health is failing, or who can come up with letters of reference from friends and family? Justice is blind, after all, and should apply to everyone equally, right?
I am not advocating for a justice system without mercy. But sometimes, when you’re presented with a good offer, and you know you have it coming to you, you should just buck up and take it. It might even gain you a modicum of respect, despite your previous bad deeds.
oh, dear
i’m no sure i want to be first on this one !
If the Bastard Club members were the buck up type of fellows they probably wouldn’t be in the gloomy legal position they’re in. Pay up they can do. Buck up isn’t in the vocab quite yet.
Will the name of the club have to be changed a bit when a female joins ?? wink-wink!!
It seems Veco has all of Alaska in (or did have) it’s backpocket… “the company at the heart of the federal investigation of Sen. Ted Stevens, has been a political player in Alaska for years. Its executives have forged ties with the state’s political leaders, hosted campaign fundraisers and given hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions.”
ireport says: “when Sarah Palin ran for Lieutenant Governor of Alaska in 2002 she gathered $5,000 (or 10% of her campaign fund) from VECO officials and/or their wives (public information), including $500 directly from Bill Allen (yes, the Bill Allen above who pleaded guilty to Federal charges of bribery and was forced to resign) including expensive gifts over the years, including a Viking gas grill and a new tool shed full of tools.
Was Palin also bought by VECO?
Why hasn’t Palin returned those contributions following the guilty plea of Bill Allen?
VECO has now been tied to corruption charges involving Senator Ted Stevens, Congressman Don Young, State Senator John Cowdery, State Senate President Ben Stevens, State Representative Vic Kohring, State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, State Senator Don Olson, and State Representative Pete Kott. Is Sarah Palin next?”
Hmmm… do wishes come true?
I also don’t get this whole, “I’m old, sick and this is my first conviction”, argument for light sentences. What is the lesson here? Its worth the risk to break the law when you get older because you will more then likely receive little punishment for your actions. Just the message we want to send out to all of the really old, ailing guys that run our nation. I agree that it is unlikey that anyone who is caught in this type of crime has not engaged in many other similiar schemes. Maybe this is just an award for almost making it completely though life without getting caught.
In May 2007, Palin said:
“To have this truth now, to know that some Alaskans willingly and knowingly participated and encouraged this corrupt behavior is disgusting,” Gov. Sarah Palin said in a written statement.
That’s a lot of words for someone who hangs around with bribers, huh?
Hello All,
I’ve gotten several comments and emails over the last couple days that I am now finding, regarding the comment stream.
Just a reminder… Please read the Posting Guidelines tab at the top and also the FAQ tab. Dissenting opinions are welcomed, but rude and offensive ones are not. I will delete comments that don’t pass my “cringe test”, and that goes for both sides of the aisle. I probably have a higher cringe limit for my own particular point of view, but don’t we all? So, I’d encourage people to try to understand the point of view of others, and agree to disagree if necessary, but not to resort to ad hominem attacks.
Visitors who disagree with my post, or another commenter are encouraged to try to gain the perspective of another point of view. Regulars here who see a new poster who disagrees respectfully are encouraged to understand that perspective.
I have found several websites with opposing points of view, and the commenters have no desire to engage in respectful dialog. So if someone does, I like to look at it as an opportunity to gain insight. I certainly don’t have to agree, but communication, if done the right way, is a good thing.
So deep breaths all around.
(passing the peace pipe)
AKM
fun to watch and ON topic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7TnooH9EjU
Speaking of peace pipes… the BOSS HOG apology generator!
http://www.dccc.org/content/sorry
HA! See new post!
AKM
Fawnskin–the holder of many firsts. Thats what sneaking around gets ya, hehe.
Paula – that’s funny !! If I’m an opponent of SP’s in any future election – that’s my first commercial outta the gate……….
BigPete – I should know better than to click to any link you provide while food is in my mouth………tuna melt sandwich and monitor screen……..gotta get the Windex out !! LMAO !!
Yes AKM, I agree….inhaling the peace pipe.
It might even gain you a modicum of respect, despite your previous bad deeds.
I think you are giving them to much credit by thinking they even understand the meaning of “modicum of respect”.
Got it! Hope that doesn’t include $@%##^&. I said something like that in my apology to Rush.
(puff, puff)
I work with people in the construction industry, and this bothers me about these guys:
“Veco, an oil field service company, and Allen have been at the center of the investigation. Cowdery said he became friends with Allen years ago when both were contractors with similar backgrounds: poorly educated men who dropped out of school at an early age and turned to construction to support themselves and their families, eventually owning successful businesses.”
Is it a successful business when you are lying and cheating and stealing? I hope this ends up on SNL in one of those Weekend Update “REALLY?” segments. And can’t wait until SP is busted on this kind of thing, also, too.
Where in the United States justice system is it published that if you are above a
certain age you receive special treatment for criminal activity?
I just follow the old saying, “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.”
Justice is supposed to be blind. Take your lumps, Mr. Cowdery.
It’s amazing how these old guys present themselves as fit and strong, with plenty more good years left – until they’re tried in court and they then become elderly, frail, chronically ill, etc. He’s so old and sick he can’t stay home for 12 months? What a comedian!
comment from the first blog I read the day whe was announced as VP running mate http://wizbangblog.com/content/2008/05/29/alaska-gov-sarah-palin-to-meet-with-mccain-vp-search-team.php. :
Sarah has said on numerous occasions that she has no interest in the Veep job. But I think in a few years she might be ready — after she brings North Slope gas to market with AGIA and cleans up the corrupt bastards running the Alaska Republican Party.
25. Posted by Ishmael | May 29, 2008 5:58 PM |
I’l bet this guy is still waiting for her to do that….oh, she’s now a member. How ’bout that!
Slightly On Topic: This is 9/2/08 short (46 seconds) hilarious sound bite is Rick Davis (McCain’s campaign manager) really really saying ‘Failin’ instead of ‘Palin’, and then goes on to say how the campaign ‘fooled’ everyone [grin] by picking her ~ http://tinyurl.com/atwyec ~ Rick looks slightly green from the dizzying spin.
If SP’s ever required to wear an ankle bracelet at home, she can at least wile away the hours by watching herself embedded forever at YouTube.
Why is home confinement considered a punishment? Lots of young mothers go through it, and their husbands come home and say, “Why are you tired? I’m the one who worked!”
Now, if they confined Cowdery with a dozen two year olds, THAT might qualify as punishment.
LOL, Tina in Tennessee, I now have to wonder if SP has any idea how many of her forays across the public stage are on YouTube. I bet she doesn’t – or we’d be hearing complaints about how we are all picking on her.
But back to Cowdery – I can’t believe that after all they have on him that he would have the nerve to ask for less than the prosecution is offering, which sounds pretty mild. Good grief, they all drive me nuts. Can we just send them all to some deserted island and let all the political crooks live with each other and leave the rest of us alone?
Charles, only if the two-year-olds were already little felons. We wouldn’t want him corrupting young minds.
Point taken, however.
If he’s already all that decrepit, why would he be going anywhere anyway?
and welcome to the ‘flats.
Ok, so what I don’t get is the failing health but cut the home arrest time in half. If he is so sick, why would he mind staying home? Huh? Anyone?
Good gosh… the defense gets a gift horse but they want to complain about it?
This is a press release from the Anchorage Federal Bureau of Investigations released in July 2008 with regard to the case against John Cowdery.
http://anchorage.fbi.gov/doj/pressrel/2008/publiccorruption071008.htm
It reveals that -
“If convicted, Cowdery faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the bribery count and a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy count, as well as a maximum $250,000 fine for each count.”
Clearly the new consequences that he faces in return for a guilty plea have been more than substantially reduced. Ridiculously so I think. And it does not say much for the State of Alaska’s judicial system that they are prepared to let him off with barely a rap on the knuckles.
Surely the people of Alaska deserve better protection from the manipulations of the oil/gas companies and their cronies in Government? Think a little forward into the future and what could happen when it comes to indicting Palin if Cowdery is let off the hook to this extent. She will be indicted….plead guilty crying that she was unprepared to understand the enormity of the task that she took on….that she was misled by people who were not honest in their intent. She will blame everyone and anyone….and she too will be rewarded with a light consequence for her failures and deceit of the Alaskan population.
People of Alaska you cannot allow Cowdery to get away with this crime. Write, scream, shout about this scandalous situation to your elected representatives. Complain to the Attorney General and the FBI. Finally tell this story to your friends and neighbours so that they are fully aware that the Government of Alaska and the Law Courts are complicit in this whole corruption scandal.
Another brilliant article. Thanks
@Daisy daisy (00:27:40) :
I would like to point out that, like all the other VECO connected corruption trials, Cowdery’s case is FEDERAL, not State, so it’s not like the State of Alaska’s judicial system or Alaskans have any say in this matter.
I don’t get why a record of public service is supposed to be a reason to reduce his sentence. It is BECAUSE he was a public servant who betrayed the people’s trust that he was in court in the first place. This is a bit like the parricide throwing himself on the mercy of the court because he’s an orphan. Geez.
ptarmiganNo Gravatar (14:02:32) : “I don’t get why a record of public service is supposed to be a reason to reduce his sentence. It is BECAUSE he was a public servant who betrayed the people’s trust that he was in court in the first place. This is a bit like the parricide throwing himself on the mercy of the court because he’s an orphan. Geez.”
Right, and the word is “chutzpah.” What kind of “service” is it when you betray those you are serving? You get a break because your fellow citizens are so grateful?
Hi, Problem Child. I actually read the ‘Flats regularly, just don’t have time to talk much. But it’s a wonderful community.
As for two-year old felons, I’m sure that we could find ‘em in Republican households. They’re awfully practiced at crime as adults, such that they must have learned it at their mother’s knee.