Closure in Sight? Bill Allen May Finally Face Sentencing
If there is one thing Alaskans have learned in the past few years, it’s patience. We know that despite the lack of obvious activity, often there is lots of duck paddling going on below the surface in Alaska’s many corruption investigations. And at long last, it looks like the grand-daddy of the Corrupt Bastards Club and former VECO oil services company CEO, Bill Allen, may be facing sentencing, along with cohort and former Vice President of now-defunct VECO, Rick Smith.
On May 7, 2007, Allen and Smith each pleaded guilty to three felonies: conspiracy to commit extortion, bribery and fraud; bribery; and conspiracy to impede the Internal Revenue Service. Within months, each gave damning testimony in the corruption trials of former Reps. Pete Kott and Vic Kohring. Allen was also a central witness against former Sen. Ted Stevens, then became a central figure in the demise of Stevens’ case.
Since May 7, those people who appreciate closure in life feel like waiting for Allen and Smith to be sentenced has been like waiting for water to boil, or grass to grow, or whatever other analogy you want to use for something that just feels interminable.
But according to the Daily News, Judge John Sedwick has exhausted his patience and thinks that Allen and Smith finally need to face the music. They are pushing for a sentencing date of October 28. Why the two and a half year delay?
“Until now, the court has been of the view that providing for the investigation of other persons warranted delay in the imposition of Allen’s sentence,” Sedwick wrote. “That view is necessarily (a)ffected by the passage of time. The United States has now had more than two years in which to use Allen’s cooperation to present charges to a grand jury involving the remainder of those who are under investigation. What is more, it does not appear to the court that the likely remaining potential targets include anyone whose identity was not known at the time Allen entered his guilty pleas.”
The names of a number of potential targets have surfaced in trials and elsewhere, and include Stevens’ son Ben, a former Alaska Senate president; U.S. Rep. Don Young, who has spent more than $1 million of campaign funds on legal fees over the last three years; and former state Sen. Jerry Ward.
Allen himself is not a sympathetic figure, and in a bizarre “you can’t make this stuff up” moment, Allen’s son Mark, who escaped any indictments as part of Allen’s plea deal to testify, was one of the owners of this year’s come-from-behind Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird. That’s the kind of thing that makes you hope the fates will make sure everything evens out in the end.
So, unless Allen somehow manages to come up with something really really compelling between now and October 12, sentencing will happen as scheduled. It may not yet be time to break out my big red Sharpie and circle the date yet, but at least pencil it in.
Presumably, they will also issue any new indictments against others if there are in fact any left to be indicted.
I didn’t know Allen’s son owned part of Mine That Bird. There’s no end to what I learn on Mudflats.
I’m curious – what agency investigates in this type of situation? Also, is it public information as to who else might be involved besides Stevens, Young and Ward? Anybody know?
I’m thinking Bill is looking forward to being sentenced for corruption instead of what probably got him in the first place – his link to AIH’s Art Boehm and his drugs-for-sex-with-teenage-girls hobby.
Going to jail for white-collar corruption has gotta look a helluva lot better than going to jail for sex with underage girls. Just sayin!
Well it’s about time, though I, also too, hope that sentencing doesn’t forestall any additional indictments against members (named or otherwise) of the CBC (with apologies to our Canadian mudpups for the approriation of that acronym!).
Forty Watt Says:
I didn’t know Allen’s son owned part of Mine That Bird. There’s no end to what I learn on Mudflats.
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AKM & Mudflats is a wealth of information!!!
Honestly, we don’t beat up on Scarrah all the time!!!
Canadian Neighbour–that’s right, we’ll beat up on any old corrupt bas****s!!
We talked about Mine That Bird back when she first won. Right here on Mudflats. Some hoped the horse would lose due to Allen’s presence.
As for Allen, maybe they can put a carrot in front of him re his financing of Palin. Should be worth a few days off any future prison term. Bait that hook, birdie!
InJuneau, Go ahead. We’re not really funding the CBC to its full potential anyway.
InJuneau Says:
Well it’s about time, though I, also too, hope that sentencing doesn’t forestall any additional indictments against members (named or otherwise) of the CBC (with apologies to our Canadian mudpups for the approriation of that acronym!).
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I’ll never look at CBC the same way again!!! I like your’s better!!
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is boring you know!!
The Canadian CBC Radio has been good to AK in that I’m amazed home much they report on AK issues!!
the problem child and Canadian Neighbour–bummer about not funding it fully (why?). We don’t hear much of the CBC (do they really report on AK a lot? We’re that interesting?), but we LOVE listening to “As It Happens” (when we remember to turn it on at 10 pm, unless we’re watching the TV news) on our public radio station.
“OFF WITH HIS HEAD!”
Oh, I’m not the Queen of Hearts – we have a vacuum now – there was one running around bleating and tweeting but she’s gone missing…somebody had to say it for her.
InJuneau,
I wrote to the show thanking them as I was taken back that Canadian radio was reporting what U.S. wasn’t. This was Shannyn talking about the outing of AKM. Here’s the link where in the first minute they mention about the outing and then at 20:00 it’s Shannyn.
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/asithappens/20090330-aih-1.wmv
Whether it was Shannyn, AKM or someone posted about it so I listened. Remember the day we were chasing the time zones to all listen to Shannyn. I’ve heard mention of AK at times but see you mention it in your post too of the show. Didn’t someone post that someone at the station reads Mud — I can’t clearly remember. I have to admit that with listening to so many different things, I’ve forgetten about it. It was only your mention of CBC brought it back to mind.
sauerkraut – Palin connection was kind of what I was hinting at in my earlier comment. Like would the public know if she is part of that investigation. A bit afraid of sounding stupid (or starting a rumor and being ripped up by Just Grimy or Van Flem).
LOL Martha UYS!
I suppose if Allen isn’t going to rat out anyone else, they may as well put him in the cooler.
But what about Ben and Don – and any others we don’t even know about? Is the DOJ reluctant to prosecute because of the misconduct in the other cases? If so, DOJ needs to clean house, grow a pair and finish what they started in Alaska.
“Allen was also a central witness against former Sen. Ted Stevens, then became a central figure in the demise of Stevens’ case.”
Could someone please explain this or provide a linky? Especially that second part.
I frequently suspected during the election that the primary source of Palin news ‘As it Happens’ was using was the mudflats. I was the the easternmost Canadian mudpup posting that day, so I was the one who caught the AKM story with Shannyn and tipped off the ‘flats to follow the story as it cycled through time zones on the webcast. I think then Ripley either ripped or found the podcast. Fun, but stressful times!
Here’s hoping you Alaskans have a peaceful and thankful Thanksgiving this year. You have much to be thankful for, finally. And don’t forget to order one of those tasty turkeys in Wasilla when November rolls around. I’m also looking forward to Alaskans going full out for halloween this year. Prizes for the best Sarah costume? (waders and blackberries, hint hint)
michigander
You will find this interesting, Palin’s links to Allen -
http://www.bluebloggin.com/2008/10/05/palins-campaign-contributions-from-convicted-criminal-bill-allen/
sauerkraut and michigander, I can sympathize with your curiosity over whether or not there was ever a connection between Allen and Palin, because honestly that was my first thought when I heard the rumor about IRS on Alaska Report.
It was only later when Housegate was pointed out to me that I thought, oh, well, maybe it was that. But first was Allen, because he hadn’t been sentenced, so figured it was still talking and 2nd because he had this definite tendency to throw money at politicians, as was recorded during the Stevens trial.
“Bill Allen is the former CEO of the now defunct Alaskan oil company VECO. Allen pleaded guilty on May 7, 2007 to bribery and corruption charges. In his plea, Allen admitted to bribing three Alaska state representatives and two state senators. His testimony has been instrumental in the convictions of former Alaska Reps. Pete Kott and Vic Kohring and in the indictments and investigations of many other politicians, including Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK).”
From TPM 1 Oct 2008
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/bill-allen.php
Canadian Neighbour and the problem child–And I actually caught Shannyn on AIH that day, as a result of hearing about it here! She was at the airport about to get on a plane to here (where I actually met her the next day!). Small world Buttercup has made for us all, isn’t it?
Oh, but when will we get to see Scarrahhahahha sentenced?
I thought Bill was in prison already. This is part of the transript from the ‘The Rachel Maddow Show’for Friday, May 15
Remarkably, Mark Allen says he consulted with his dad in prison this week and had a change of heart, quote, “His advice to me was just to do what‘s right because arrogance and greed isn‘t right.” So, Mark Allen withdrew the other horse from the Preakness. Now, Rachel Alexandra will be in the Preakness.
UK Lady,
I love the last line directed back to Palin after her the Associated Press is wrong, then immediately spinning it to Obama as she did at every turn throughout the campaign
:
People in igloos shouldn’t throw fireballs.
I hadn’t seen that before!
Perry says Palin to campaign for him
CONROE, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry says Sarah Palin is committed to campaigning for his re-election bid and that he welcomes the support of the soon-to-be-former Alaska governor.
Perry, after a luncheon speech Wednesday to a Lions Club in Conroe, told The Associated Press that he intends to complete the full four years if he’s re-elected next year to a third term. Palin resigned in a surprise announcement last week before completing her first term in office.
Republican Perry already is the longest-serving Texas governor. He faces a likely tough primary fight from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Palin was the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2008.
I bet you guys are wondering why she picked Perry over Hutchinson—easy Perry is just like BUSH and if you like the policies of BUSH then you like Perry. Plus Hutchinson is softer on Abortion Perry is not.
boy she hates that main stream media but she invited them all out to Bristol Bay to go fishing with her…boy she hates ABC, FOX, NBC!! what a hate relationship.
I gather VECO no longer exists as a company. What happened to it?
Well, there was a rumor elsewhere that when Judge Sedwick received the sealed report on Allen and Smith on 6/30, that the Palins got busy. Or was that just coincidental timing? How connected were Allen and Smith aside from those we know about? Then, there was the fear I detected in her defaulting on her job on 7/3, all that rambling, rat-a-tat delivery and word salad with a bit of wishful thinking thrown in.
Am I wrong to think that? Is there something we just don’t know? Is all the hype about her campaigning, and running in 2012 just that–hype to deflect from something else? Like Frank Donatelli (GOPAC) saying she has the intellectual capability to run for national office (ouch!) on The Ed Show.
Or am I just being all conspiratorial? Help me out here (I’m in NC). : )
Strange thing is most Alaskans I know don’t do turkey for T-day =-)
At our house it’s prime rib roast and king crab. Turkey is just way too much work!
VECO is now CH2MHill.
Same company, same people (sans Smith & Allen) same building, different sign.
Canadian Neighbour, I love the CBC – your version. I particularly appreciate the international news.
hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2009/07/07/the-unintended-consequences-of-ethical-reform/
This person maintains that Palin was done in by the “poor ethics bill she signed”
Read it, it’s a hoot.
Sarah is getting others to do her dirty work and feel sorry for her.
Thanks a bunch UK Lady! I know there were posts on here way back but need a refresher course.
I wonder if there is more investigating going on that we haven’t been privy to (o:
michigander
My pleasure.
Keith is going to correct some of Sarah’s excuses for leaving (after the CIA stuff)
Well then Cynthia, we may have to see what we can do to make sure he does not win, huh. We can’t have Scarah getting a big fat head.
“Republican Perry already is the longest-serving Texas governor. He faces a likely tough primary fight from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Palin was the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2008.
I bet you guys are wondering why she picked Perry over Hutchinson—easy Perry is just like BUSH and if you like the policies of BUSH then you like Perry. Plus Hutchinson is softer on Abortion Perry is not.”
ValleyIndependent Says:
July 8th, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Canadian Neighbour, I love the CBC – your version. I particularly appreciate the international news.
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Funny thing, it used to be a lot better… Many Canadians feel the same way about the … BBC!
To keep this on topic: It seems to me that if the judge read the sealed report and it showed a coming indictment against, well, someone who claims there are no coming indictments,
he would not be pushing for a sentencing date. He would want that testimony on the record before sentencing (thinking being that they will be less cooperative if they have already been handed sentences, as they have no more brownie points to make by ratting out … someone.)
Not to imply that there might not still be something coming down the pipeline for “someone”, but that the VECO people are not key witnesses.
From what I hear from Texas most people down thewre do not think much of Perry so I hope Kay wins
Texans hate Perry……voted in with 39% of the vote….even most Repubs do not care for him these days.
I really wish Bill White would have run on the Dem ticket – he would have organized an Obama style grassroots campaign that would have won. However he is seeking the Senate seat vacated by KBH.
There are a lot of Texas women channeling their inner Molly Ivins so don’t throw in the towel just yet. I’m here to tell you that there are a lot of good ol’ Texas gals with some serious brain power under that big hair. Sarah hasn’t a prayer.
How about we secede Palin and Perry to Galveston Island and pull up the bridge!!
Thanks All I Saw-
Then I’m pretty sure I remember CH2MHill was the company that did a sewer study in the mountains near Banff 4 years ago, it’s a wierd enough name to be memorable. Looked them up- their website says they’ve been in Canada 85 years and are (now?) environment gurus. Never heard of them out west other than that, though.
Googing CH2MHill buy Veco and it said CH2 was Colorado based and bought VECO in 2007 BUT did not buy the Barbados ops. Led to very interesting article in Barbados Free Press about Allan and corruption there.
http://barbadosfreepress.wordpress.com/2007/09/08/why-didnt-vecos-buyers-want-barbados-operations-stained-veco-name-gone-except-in-corrupt-barbados/
If you haven’t taken a gander @ Celtic Diva’s blog lately, you might want to check this out (linda’s recommendation) – highly erudite, dense with facts & figures, and blows the crap outta Palin’s “those ethics complaints are costing my beloved Alaska $2million dollars” sacrificial moose-pucky.
“The 2 million dollar meme” – Henkimaa http://bit.ly/OqVIi
42 Gramiam Says:
July 8th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
How about we secede Palin and Perry to Galveston Island and pull up the bridge!!
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Actually , Galveston is not half bad. Lot of cool stuff off the tourist track.
Also , the name Smith seems to be a theme in the sarah saga. A Smith was the contractor on the rink. The Smith named above. And the friend from Alaska that sarah spent 5 days with here in Texas is named………..Smith.
Hm-m-m-m-m………wonder if they are related ??
Slightly OT, and apologies if this has already been posted, but it appears your soon to be ex-gov has been lying:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-party/key-reason-palin-gave-for-quitting-appears-to-be-false/
Gee, I know, I’m shocked too!
Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Sarah!
Sarah Who?
Exactly!
oops thought I was on the open thread.
You sure have developed a sharp sense of humor these past few days, Martha.
btw… anyone hear from Ripley??
over on the http://www.pennlive.com national political forums, a number of people were debating the neocons about Henkimaa’s meme when some idiot dropped the “dyke” word. Apparently, being gay means lacking in credibility. Personally, I found the information to be incredibly detailed and very informative (just the kind of stuff the palinista’s hate).
VECO = CH2MHill
People in these parts call it “The Hillbillies”
Off topic, but worth reading.
http://washingtonbureau.typepad.com/washington/2009/07/palins-quit-before.html
“I’m forced to withhold information from Alaskans, and that goes against what I believe in as a public servant,” Palin said in a Friday interview.
(said in January 2004)
Martha Unalaska YardSign – you are a hoot! Thank you for keeping the humor in this insanity.
Old Dyke – interesting link; I wondered where she was getting the millions from. Not surprising that she’s messing with the truth, too, also.
After all this waiting, I would love to see Bill Allen sentenced for a nice long time. Geesh. We moved from Alaska 18 months ago, and this was practically old news by the time we moved and the ba$tard still hasn’t been sentenced?
I sent Henkimaa’s “meme” piece to Lori Tipton at KTUU and told her she should at least take a look at a different view….and stop believing everything that comes out of Palin’s office. Grrrrr.
New thread above…
remember how Blago threaten the Chicago tribune? Gino is doing the same.. ask Dennis.. No free press in AK and if you try she’ll sue.. ask Shannyn. more people will speak out when she is gone?? I HOPE?
We don’t see Russia from our homes, there already there..
Yes, Lori Tipton. I couldn’t believe she was still repeating that crap.
Interesting comments about our newest almost ex-guv on AK radio this morning by Rep. state senator Bill Stedman. Worth a listen if you can find them on line.