Two top officers of an oil-services company pleaded guilty Monday to bribing Alaska lawmakers
Two top officers of an oil-services company pleaded guilty Monday to bribing Alaska lawmakers with cash and the promise of jobs, contracts and favors for their backing on bills supported by the multinational firm, Associated Press reported.
Bill Allen, chief executive of Anchorage-based Veco Corp., and Rick Smith, a vice president, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to extortion, bribery and conspiracy to impede the Internal Revenue Service.
Prosecutors say Allen, Smith and five state lawmakers conspired to buy the lawmakers' support with money and other financial benefits, according to court documents.
Allen also pleaded guilty to issuing company bonuses to Veco executives to repay them for campaign contributions they made to politicians, then claiming those bonuses as legitimate company expenses.
Sentencing was not scheduled. The recommendation for Allen is between nine and just more than 11 years in prison and a fine between $15,000 and $150,000, according to the plea agreement unsealed Monday.
