ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Convicted felons will be banned from lobbying city officials under new rules passed by the Anchorage Assembly.
The assembly Tuesday night voted unanimously to tighten its lobbying rules.
"What we're trying to do is basically maintain the integrity of those who try and influence public officials," said Assemblyman Dan Sullivan, a sponsor of the proposal.
Co-sponsor Paul Bauer said he proposed the changes partly because Anchorage's most prominent lobbyist, Bill Bobrick, had been linked to the corruption case against former state Rep. Tom Anderson, an Anchorage Republican.
Bobrick pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to bribe Anderson.
Bobrick for years claimed a long list of private clients who did business with the municipality of Anchorage. Prosecutors say Bobrick created a sham corporation that was used to funnel money to Anderson. The money was paid by a private corrections company lobbyist who was working as a government informant, according to court documents.
Anderson has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and is scheduled for trial next month. He was indicted Dec. 6 on extortion, money laundering and bribery charges.
Ethics issues rocked the Legislature shortly before it adjourned.
State Rep. Vic Kohring, R-Wasilla, and two former House members, Pete Kott of Eagle River and Bruce Weyhrauch of Juneau, earlier this month pleaded not guilty to federal bribery and extortion charges.
Three days later, two top officers of an oil services company, Anchorage-based VECO Corp., pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska lawmakers with cash and the promise of jobs, contracts and favors. Company founder Bill Allen and vice president Rick Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to extortion, bribery, and conspiracy to impede the Internal Revenue Service.
The municipal lobbying rules drew little attention from the public Tuesday. The only person to testify, Jed Whittaker, said told assembly members they allowed Bobrick to influence them for years without complaint until now.
"If you really want to say to the public that you cannot be bought, then pass an ordinance that publicly funds elections to the assembly," Whittaker said.
The new guidelines say people cannot register to lobby city officials if they have been convicted of a felony in the previous 10 years.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com
