Corrupted Alaska State Representative Receives Light Sentence

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September 24th, 2009. Former Alaska State Representative Beverly Masek was sentenced to six months in prison and three years of probation for her involvement in bribery in 2003[1].".

Contents

[edit] 2003 Bribery

While serving as a legislature for the Willow area in the Alaska Legislature in 2003, Beverly Masek took bribes from an oil executive on multiple occasions. The oil executive, Bill Allen, was the the C.E.O. of an oil pipeline service and construction company called VECO. In addition to bribing Rep. Beverly Masek, he has since been linked to several different corruption scandals occurring around 2003, including that of Ted Stevens[2].".

In one case of bribery, Rep. Beverly Masek accepted a bribe after working to advance Bill Allen's agenda. In May of 2003, Bill Allen was concerned about a piece of legislation that had been drafted, which he predicated, if passed, would negatively impact his company. While the legislation was in consideration, Rep. Beverly was aware that Bill Allen was opposed to this legislation. Eventually Rep. Beverly withdrew the piece of legislation. The day after she withdrew, she was offered, and she accepted, a $2,000 dollar payment from Bill Allen.[3].

[edit] Personal Struggles

Through out the investigation of the scandal, Rep. Beverly has revealed personal struggles affected her life while she was serving as a legislature. She admits to having an addiction to alcohol. In addition, she claims that her husband, now ex-husband, was abusive[4].

Once seen as a model for fellow Native Americans in Alaska, Rep. Beverly has acknowledged that she behaved wrongly, and she has pledged to turn her life around [5]."

[edit] Light Sentence

Rep. Beverly's sentence of six months of prison and three years of prison, handed down by U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline, is considered to be a light sentence. Federal guidelines recommend sentencing 18-24 months of prison for politicians who involved in bribery similar to that of Rep. Beverly[6].".

[edit] References

  1. ↑ [The News Tribune, Judge shows leniency in Masek sentence for corruption]
  2. ↑ The News Tribune, Judge shows leniency in Masek sentence for corruption
  3. ↑ U.S. Department of Justice, Former Alaska State Representative Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bribery
  4. ↑ The News Tribune, Judge shows leniency in Masek sentence for corruption
  5. ↑ The News Tribune, Judge shows leniency in Masek sentence for corruption
  6. ↑ The News Tribune, Judge shows leniency in Masek sentence for corruption
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