Simon Says

It's Been A While...

I really like the idea of having a blog.  Unfortunately, life seems to prevent me from updating my beloved blog as much as I like.  On Halloween I lost my dear friend Celia to cancer.  That derailed a lot of activities like blogging.  And I seemed to get wrapped up in life and work.  One thing I can say is I am fortunate  my station let me put together a proper tribute to Celia.  I thought I'd keep in on here as a lasting memory to her. RIP Celia.

I'll try in the new year to be back more often, with more then just news coverage. Although the way news went up here the last year news coverage became an interesting hobby of mine. Best wishes for 2008!

Kohring Convicted

Guilty.  

That is what Vic Kohring heard three times over Thursday afternoon in a federal courtroom. A jury convicted the former Wasilla representative on three public corruption charges.

CBS 11 News has covered Kohring's trial, and the corruption probe, since it broke.    

Kohring is the third former Alaska lawmaker convicted this year of being publicly corrupt. But unlike convicted lawmakers, former House Speaker Pete Kott and former Representative Tom Anderson, Kohring not only wanted to talk, he wanted to apologize.

"I'm apologizing for the stress and trauma the people who love and support me went through in this whole process," said Kohring.  

It was not clear after Kohring's guilty verdict what the former Wasilla lawmaker was apologizing for; but it was clear Kohring accepts the verdict.

"I just want to say I expected this as a possible outcome and, as I said yesterday, I was willing to accept the outcome regardless," said Kohring.

"Very difficult decisions and just the circumstances, regarding the case are tragic," said a juror.  

The jury apparently went back and forth on whether to convict Kohring or not. In the end, it was guilty for conspiracy, attempted extortion, and bribery. The only not guilty was for extortion.

"There was a little bit of give and take and persuasion," said a juror.

The Feds thanked their prosecutors and agents and in a statement said:
"Their efforts demonstrate that the Department of Justice will pursue public officials who abuse their positions of power for their own financial gain."

"There are appealable issues, but Judge Sedwick gave us a very fair trial," said Kohring's Lawyer, John Henry Browne.  

Right now, an appeal appears unlikely.

"But a sincere, heartfelt apology to the wonderful people of Alaska. That I was very, very proud to represent," said Kohring.

Despite his conviction, Kohring is still acting the politician.

"I've enjoyed working with all you guys as well. You guys have been very polite, very respectful," said Kohring.  

His speech right after being found guilty sounded more like the concessions you expect to hear when a lawmaker loses their office.

"I want to offer my sincere apologies to Alaskans; and my constituents; and my friends and supporters--not for the outcome of the case here, but for an apology along the lines of the trauma they went through with this," said Kohring.

Kohring could face 35 years in a federal prison. He'll be sentenced February 6, 2007. While Kohring would not talk about going to prison, he says he is looking forward to his future, like getting a new job.

Kohring says, "I've got a lot of good opportunities awaiting me."