Alaskan politicians investigated for 'taking favours from oil companies'

[T_i_B]

Source: Independent

Alaska's permafrost is melting faster than anywhere else on earth, but a political meltdown now threatens its Republican leaders with the state's entire Congressional delegation under investigation for corruption. Even Senator Ted Stevens, 83 years of age and 39 years in office, is being investigated for favours he allegedly received from an oil company, in the form of a luxurious extension to his Alaskan home.

Now that Congress is in recess, "Uncle Ted", as he is known, is back in town, flatly denying any wrongdoing. Last month, the FBI searched Senator Stevens's house for clues to his friendship with a businessman already convicted of bribing local politicians.

His son, Ben, is also accused of accepting bribes when he was serving as president of the State Senate. However, neither Uncle Ted nor his son have been charged to date.

The corruption allegations are as crass as they get, with oil industry lobbyists accused of passing out envelopes stuffed with cash on the very floor of the state legislature. Alaska's US senators then allegedly funnelled government money back to the companies, and the lobbyists who were doling out the favours.

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2874105.ece

[LeftishBrit]

1. I suppose in an Alaskan winter...

you don't even need to keep the cash in the freezer.

[jamesinca]

3. Q: Where would it be kept?

A: In the snow bank behind the house.
That is the best I could do at this hour of the day.

[youngdem]

2. Meh....The oil industry pays a cash bribe to ALL Alaskans every year to rape their land

:shrug: