Friends solicit money for ex-Rep. Anderson's defense fund

In the last couple of weeks, a letter soliciting for "The Tom Anderson Defense Fund" has been sent to at least 100 people, according to his supporters.

The letter encourages recipients to give to a man they say helped many others as a state legislator and, before that, as an Anchorage School Board member. Among those who signed it are owners of assisted-living homes who say Anderson championed their side in a battle with the state over room-and-board costs.

"There may come a time in your life when tragedy befalls you, and the only hope you get comes from family and friends," the "Dear Friend" letter begins. "This is the case for our mutual friend, Tom Anderson; this includes his wife Lesil, baby Grayson and their respective families."

Anderson's trial is set to begin April 9, though the date could change. His defense costs are estimated at $250,000; the trial could take two weeks, the letter said. His defense lawyer, Paul Stockler, confirmed those estimates and said the extensive pretrial work includes listening to hundreds of hours of secretly recorded phone calls collected by the FBI.

Anderson is accused of participating in a scheme in which a sham company was set up to hide bribes. The indictment charges him with collecting $12,828 in a series of payments from a lobbyist who represented private prison interests.

In an e-mail, Anderson said that he is encouraged by the support and that he receives multiple calls and e-mails daily from people who believe he is innocent.

"It certainly gives us emotional strength because I feel like David against Goliath."

One of those who helped to set up the fund is Eugene Harnett, a former legislative aide to Anderson who now works for Anderson's wife, state Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage.

In a short telephone interview Wednesday, Harnett at first downplayed his role. But when pressed, Harnett said he helped set up the bank account, helped write the letter and contacted others to participate. He said he is a 20-year friend of Anderson's and is doing the work on his own time. McGuire never even needs to know who gave to her husband's defense, he said.

"It's confidential to her. It's confidential to Tom. It's confidential to everyone," Harnett said.

Under state ethics laws, McGuire could be required to disclose certain gifts to her husband, if she knew who gave the money.

At an organizational meeting in January, Harnett stressed that he was stepping in as a friend, not at the bequest of either Anderson or McGuire, said John Oney, another Anderson supporter.

After questions were raised about the fund on Wednesday, the group decided not to accept donations from lobbyists, Oney said.

"If you are a lobbyist, no, nothing, we don't want it," said Oney, a Northwest Airlines pilot. He and his wife, Amy, own four Anchorage assisted-living homes and are among eight supporters whose names were listed in the letter.

They wouldn't say who they are targeting for money.

"Just a select few people who are interested in Tom's welfare," said John Floyd, who served briefly with Anderson on the Anchorage School Board. Floyd said Anderson's father -- also Tom Anderson, the retired director of the Alaska State Troopers -- is a hunting and fishing buddy.

As soon as Anderson was indicted in December, the Oneys and others said they started calling and e-mailing to see what they could do.

"Tom will be my friend regardless. No matter what happens. Whichever way it goes, I believe in the justice system," Oney said.

"When we were in trouble, he stepped up," Amy Oney said, referring to the fight with the state over rules affecting assisted living homes.

Anderson's supporters say they believe he is innocent. "The mission is to make sure he gets the best defense he can afford," John Oney said.

Anderson didn't run last year for his East Anchorage House seat, isn't currently working and can't afford the legal bills on his own, his supporters said.

"Tommy has no money," said retired Alaska state trooper Eugene "Rudy" Rudolph, another supporter. Rudolph and his wife, Pat, have been close to the Anderson family for decades, especially Anderson's parents.

"I'm on his side. I know the truth, and the truth is where I stand," Rudolph said, calling the newspaper from an Alaska Regional Hospital room where he was recovering from a car crash last month.

Others who signed the letter include real estate agent Randall Brandt; Sherry Mettler, president of the Assisted Living Association of Alaska; and Chuck Edwards, general manager of The Bradley House restaurant in South Anchorage and a board member of the Anchorage Cabaret, Hotel and Restaurant Retailer association.

Anderson was once CHARR executive director and last year worked briefly as a CHARR lobbyist.