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Alaska Lawmaker Sentenced for Bribery
A former Alaska State Representative has been sentenced to six months in prison for her role in a bribery scheme. Beverly Masek, 45, was found guilty of conspiring with two VECO executives to commit bribery in exchange for her influence as a state lawmaker.
According to her plea agreement, Masek received multiple cash payments from Bill J. Allen, the former CEO of VECO Corporation, and one of his relatives in the spring of 2003. At the time, Masek knew that the company had matters pending before the Alaska state legislature and that these matters were important to Allen’s business interests.
Masek admitted to withdrawing a piece of legislation at the request of Allen on May 7, 2003, just one day before she accepted a cash payment of approximately $2,000 from him. Masek knew that Allen gave her the money in part because of her agreement to withdraw the legislation.
Masek pleaded guilty to the charges on March 12, 2009. She was sentenced to six months in prison by U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline in Anchorage, Alaska, on the same day. Masek was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her prison term.
The sentencing was handled by Trial Attorneys M. Kendall Day and Marc Levin of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. The case was investigated by the FBI.
Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division stated, ‘Citizens must have faith that the officials they elect to represent their best interests will do so without the stain of bribery and corruption.’ He added that the public corruption prosecutors will continue to hold accountable those government officials who violate the public trust.
Masek’s case is just one example of the ongoing corruption in Alaska’s government. The state has been plagued by scandals involving lawmakers and corporate executives for years.
Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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