Prosecutors allege Alaska bribes long-term

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors allege the former speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives began taking unlawful gifts as early as 1999.

State Rep. Pete Kott of Eagle River and former Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau, both Republicans, were indicted in May on charges of bribery, extortion, fraud and conspiracy in 2005 and 2006. Their trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

While prosecutors have asked U.S. District Judge John Sedwick to allow them to introduce evidence that Kott was involved in earlier illegal activity, his lawyers have asked the judge to bar them from using it.

Kott allegedly received cash from former Veco CEO Bill Allen and thousands of dollars worth of equipment. He also allegedly stored equipment for his flooring business in a warehouse belonging to the oil services company.