FBI raids Alaska legislature offices

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- FBI agents have raided Alaska state legislature offices in an inquiry that appears focused on the lawmakers' relationship with oil-field service company Veco.

State Rep. Vic Kohring, R-Wasilla, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas, said after he had been questioned by agents that the investigation was focused on Veco, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

"I fully cooperated and answered all their questions," Kohring said in a written statement. "I was told that I am not a target of the investigation and was asked not to discuss details of the interview."

Meanwhile, Veco President Peter Leathard and his attorney met with FBI and IRS agents at the company's Anchorage headquarters. When asked about the inquiry after leaving the building, Leathard said, "At this point, we really don't know," the Daily News reported

FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez told the newspaper about 20 search warrants were executed on legislative offices and other locations Thursday in Anchorage, Juneau, Wasilla, Eagle River and Girdwood. He said he was not at liberty to discuss the target or purpose of the investigation.