Ex-Alaska state rep guilty of corruption

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A federal jury in Alaska found former state Rep. Victor Kohring guilty of conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion.

Kohring, R-Wasilla and a legislator from 1994 to 2007, was convicted for soliciting and receiving financial benefits from a company in exchange for "performing official acts" on behalf of the company while he was a legislator, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release.

“Former Rep. Victor Kohring betrayed his oath of office and the people of Alaska when he deliberately and repeatedly took bribes in exchange for official acts,” said Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher.

At trial, the jury heard evidence that Kohring solicited bribes from and took action to benefit VECO Corp., a major Alaska oil services company, the department said.

Kohring is the third former member of the Alaska House of Representatives to be convicted this year of corruption crimes, the Justice Department said. Former Rep. Thomas T. Anderson, R-Anchorage, was sentenced to five years in prison for extortion, conspiracy, bribery and money laundering. Peter Kott, R-Eagle River and a former speaker of the House, is to be sentenced next month for his conviction of extortion, bribery and conspiracy.

Kohring's sentencing is scheduled for February.