NPR: FBI Reportedly Taped Alaska Senator in Probe

FBI Reportedly Taped Alaska Senator in Probe

The Associated Press reports that the FBI worked with an Alaska oil contractor to secretly tape telephone calls with Sen. Ted Stevens in a public corruption sting. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator, is under investigation in the FBI probe of several prominent lawmakers in Alaska.

[Bill] Allen, a wealthy businessman and Stevens' political patron, agreed to the taping last year after authorities confronted him with evidence he had bribed Alaska lawmakers. He pleaded guilty to bribery and is a key witness against Alaska legislators. He also has told prosecutors he paid his employees to renovate the senator's house ... Stevens has said he won't discuss the investigation for fear it will look like he's trying to influence it.

Allen testified in federal court last week that the FBI asked him to call several people. An example of Allen's handiwork surfaced in the trial of former Alaska House Speaker Peter Kott. In a call taped by the FBI, Allen asked Kott how his son resolved his financial troubles. Kott said, "It was your check."

The Anchorage Daily News reports that Kott said at his trial that, while he accepted money, he didn't take bribes.

12:34 PM ET | 09-21-2007 | permalink

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