Peter Kott (born August 29, 1949) is a former Republican state representative for District 17 serving Eagle River, Alaska, in the Alaska Legislature for seven terms, from 1993 until 2007. He was Speaker of the House during his sixth term in 2003–2004.
On May 4, 2007, Kott was one of three former or current legislators (the others being Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau) and Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla)) arrested and charged with bribery, extortion, and other corruption-related charges involving allegations of soliciting and receiving money and favors from VECO Corporation executives in return for their votes on an oil tax law favored by the VECO.Burke, Jill. (2007-05-04). "Kott, Weyhrauch and Kohring arrested for corruption." KTUU Channel 2 News, Anchorage. Retrieved on 2007-05-07. Kott pleaded not guilty to all charges.Mauer, Richard, Lisa Demer, Sabra Ayres and Kyle Hopkins. (2007-05-05). "Federal authorities charge three legislators: Kohring, Kott and Weyhrauch plead not guilty to extortion and bribery counts." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-24. On September 25, 2007, a federal jury found Kott guilty on three of the four charges brought against him. He was acquitted on the charge of wire fraud. On December 7, 2007, he was sentenced to six years in prison and fined $10,000.Ex-Alaska Lawmaker Sentenced in Oil Case | World Latest | Guardian Unlimited
However, he was released on bond in June 2009 while a court reviews the case.Miami Herald The conviction was vacated and in 2011 Kott agreed to plead guilty in exchange for being sentenced to time served and conditions on his release.Prosecutors Outline Kott, Kohring Plea Agreements Associated Press/Alaska Public Radio Network 10/19/11
See also Alaska political corruption probe Public Integrity Section
References
United States v. Peter Kott and Bruce Weyrauch. Indictment. Case 3:07-cr-00056-JWS-JDR. Filed May 3, 2007, in United States District Court, District of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
External links "Alaska Political Corruption." Continuing coverage on the corruption scandal from the Anchorage Daily News. "Veco." Continuing coverage about VECO Corporation from the Anchorage Daily News, with particular emphasis on VECO's connections to the corruption scandal. Pete Kott at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature