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DOJ Says Former Alaska State Representative Created Sham Corporation

JUL. 9, 2007

07-489

DATED JUL. 9, 2007
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Citations: 07-489
Former Alaska State Representative Thomas Anderson Convicted of Extortion, Conspiracy, Bribery and Money Laundering
WASHINGTON -- Thomas T. Anderson, a former elected member of the Alaska state House of Representatives, has been convicted by a federal jury in Alaska of extortion, conspiracy, bribery and money laundering, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.

The jury in Anchorage convicted Anderson today of all seven counts charged in a December 2006 indictment. The jury found that Anderson solicited and received money from an FBI confidential source in exchange for Anderson's agreement to perform official acts to further a business interest represented by the confidential source.

Evidence at trial showed that from July 2004 to March 2005, Anderson and lobbyist William B. Bobrick solicited and received $24,000 in payments in exchange for Anderson's agreement to take official action as a member of the Alaska State Legislature. Anderson solicited and received an extra $2,000 from the source, in addition to the $24,000. Anderson and Bobrick participated in the creation of a sham corporation -- Pacific Publications -- to conceal the existence and true origin of the payments, and used the sham corporation to funnel a portion of the bribes to Anderson.

Bobrick pleaded guilty in federal court in Anchorage in May 2007 to conspiring to obtain bribe payments for Anderson.

"Former Representative Tom Anderson corrupted his elected office when he took official actions in exchange for bribery payments. His illegal conduct impaired the integrity of the oath he took to represent citizens of the state of Alaska," said Assistant Attorney General Fisher. "Anderson has been held accountable for his crimes thanks to the hard work of federal prosecutors and FBI agents, and the Department of Justice will continue its pursuit of public corruption at all levels of government."

"The conviction of former Alaskan Representative Anderson illustrates the FBI's commitment to investigating officials that misuse their public office for personal gain," said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. "The public deserves fair and honest representation and the FBI will not relent in its pursuit of corrupt public officials."

Sentencing for Anderson has been scheduled for Oct. 2, 2007. Anderson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of two extortion counts and each of three money laundering counts; a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bribery count; and a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy count.

The Anderson case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Nicholas A. Marsh and Edward P. Sullivan of the Public Integrity Section, headed by Section Chief William M. Welch II, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph W. Bottini and James A. Goeke from the District of Alaska. The case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI.

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