Topic: Pete Kott

Peter "Pete" Kott (born 1949) is a former Republican state representative for District 17 serving Eagle River, Alaska, in the Alaska Legislature for seven terms, from 1993 until 2007. He was Speaker of the House during his sixth term in 2003-2004. On May 4, 2007, Kott was one of three former or current legislators (the others being Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau) and Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla)) arrested and charged with bribery, extortion, and other corruption-related charges involving allegations of soliciting and receiving money and favors from VECO Corporation executives in return for their votes on an oil tax law favored by the VECO. Kott pleaded not guilty to all charges. On September 25, 2007, a federal jury found Kott guilty on three of the four charges brought against him. He was acquitted on the charge of wire fraud. On December 7, 2007 he was sentenced to six years in prison and fined $10,000.

However, he was released on bond in June 2009 while a court reviews the case.