Alaska lawmaker accused of selling vote to oil businessmen resigns to focus on defense

[LeighAnn]

From CBS-TV 11

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) A state lawmaker accused of selling his vote to oil businessmen said Tuesday he would give up his House seat to focus on his defense against federal bribery and extortion charges.

``I take the job as a legislator very seriously, but my life is on the line, so I have chosen to defend myself so I can prevail in court,'' Rep. Vic Kohring told The Associated Press. ``It's a very, very ugly decision to have to make, frankly.''

Kohring and two former state lawmakers were indicted May 4 on federal bribery and extortion charges related to alleged dealings with Anchorage-based oil field services company VECO Corp.

Federal prosecutors accuse the lawmakers of selling their votes to VECO officials while they were considering a rewrite of the state's petroleum production tax, which could have levied a 20 percent tax on profits and a 20 percent credit on capital investments.

More

http://cbs11tv.com/nationalwire/PipelineBribe/resources_news_html

[Steerpike]

1. He will step down in time.

There is still a special session that he can use to ingratiate himself to his constituants, too little too late.

[northofdenali]

2. And Vic is going, going......................

GONE!!

YEE HAW - one more for the good guys.

C'mon Ben, you're next~

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I wish they'd get on with that indictment...

We all know it's coming.