Charges indicate Stevens was bribed by VECO execs

May 08, 2007

According to charging documents, Bill Allen offered Ben Stevens a position as VECO executive on June 5, 2006. (KTUU-TV)

by Jason Moore
Monday, May 7, 2007

ANCHORAGE -- Former Senate President Ben Stevens has not been indicted, but the charging documents against Bill Allen indicate Stevens received far more money for his "official services" from VECO Corp. than the other indicted lawmakers.

VECO paid Stevens' consulting company more than $243,000 since 2002.

According to charging documents, Allen told U.S. attorneys that those payments were largely for Stevens' "taking official acts" in his capacity as a legislator. Allen also said Stevens only did 20 hours worth of consulting work for VECO since 2002 that was not directly tied to state legislation.

Former state Rep. Ray Metcalfe has fought for years to implicate Stevens in a corruption scandal. He expects an indictment will be handed down shortly.

"It was so obvious that (Stevens) was sitting there at the head of the state Senate clipping coupons from a VECO book of bribery that a caveman could have figured it out," Metcalfe said.

In 2005, Metcalfe attempted to recall Stevens. The Division of Elections dismissed the recall and Stevens held a press conference calling Metcalfe's charges baseless; nevertheless, he refused to divulge what work he performed for the VECO "consulting fees."

"There is no relationship between my business and my legislative duties ... When all the members of the Legislature and all the elected officials in Alaska provide that information I'll be happy to do it as well with them," Stevens said in September 2005.

Allen's comments in the court papers appear to contradict Stevens' statement.

Stevens had refused to comment on the allegations made against him in the Allen charging documents.

Meanwhile, Stevens' father, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, released a statement regarding the charges, saying:

"I was surprised and saddened to learn of the recent developments in the ongoing federal investigation in Alaska. Like many Alaskans, I am finding out about these events from the media. The legal process will now continue. Consistent with my longstanding practice regarding matters of this sort, I will make no further comment."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski also released a short statement today:

"This is truly a troubled time in our state's history and it comes when the Legislature is considering one of the most critical issues for our future. I am hopeful that our legislators and the governor are able to overcome this challenge and move our state forward."

Contact Jason Moore at jmoore@ktuu.com

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