Alaskan politicians investigated for 'taking favours from oil companies'

[babsbunny]

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

By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Published: 18 August 2007
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.