Post by Sapphire Capital on Jul 15, 2008 5:58:39 GMT 4
July 10, 2008
ANCHORAGE — State Sen. John Cowdery, the oldest member of the Alaskan legislature and a Republican power, has been indicted on federal bribery charges for his role in an effort to buy the support of another senator in the battle over tax legislation favored by North Slope oil producers.
According to the 16-page indictment, Cowdery and others conspired to give the other state senator $25,000, characterized as campaign contributions.
The indictment was handed up by a grand jury Wednesday but not filed in U.S. District Court until Thursday.
Gov. Sarah Palin, also a Republican, called for Cowdery, of Anchorage, to resign.
"It was disturbing to learn that another public official has been charged with violating the public trust. I urge Senator Cowdery to step down, for the good of the state," Palin said.
Cowdery, 78, was chairman of the powerful Rules Committee until January. He has been in poor health.
ANCHORAGE — State Sen. John Cowdery, the oldest member of the Alaskan legislature and a Republican power, has been indicted on federal bribery charges for his role in an effort to buy the support of another senator in the battle over tax legislation favored by North Slope oil producers.
According to the 16-page indictment, Cowdery and others conspired to give the other state senator $25,000, characterized as campaign contributions.
The indictment was handed up by a grand jury Wednesday but not filed in U.S. District Court until Thursday.
Gov. Sarah Palin, also a Republican, called for Cowdery, of Anchorage, to resign.
"It was disturbing to learn that another public official has been charged with violating the public trust. I urge Senator Cowdery to step down, for the good of the state," Palin said.
Cowdery, 78, was chairman of the powerful Rules Committee until January. He has been in poor health.