Thomas T. Anderson (August 4, 1967Alaska Legislature. (2005-09-20). "Representative Tom Anderson" (biography). Through Internet Archive. Retrieved on 2007-05-09. – February 10, 2024) was a partner at Optima Public Relations in Anchorage, Alaska and host of the "Tom Anderson Show" radio talk show (www.TomAndersonShow.com) on KVNT 92.5 FM and 1020 AM in Anchorage and Mat-Su. Anderson, a Republican, was an Alaska state representative for District 19 representing northeast Anchorage for two terms, from 2003 to 2007. He became known for his sponsorship of legislation which expanded Alaska's DNA database to assist in forensic identification of criminal suspects through DNA testing.
On December 6, 2006, Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven felony counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and money laundering involving allegations that he took bribes of nearly $13,000 in return for using his official position as a legislator to advocate for the certificate of need (CON) issuance for a residential psychiatric treatment center (RPTC) associated with the Gov. Frank Murkowski "Bring the Kids Home" initiative, and for contract changes relating to a community confinement center (halfway house) in Anchorage. In July 2007 he was found guilty on all seven felony countsDemer, Lisa. (2007-07-09). "Jury finds Anderson guilty in bribery trial." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. and was sentenced in October 2007 to 60 months imprisonment to commence at the Federal Prison Camp in Sheridan, Oregon, on December 3, 2007. Anderson was one of seven legislators indicted, including U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, State Senator John Cowdery, former Speaker of the House Pete Kott, State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, State Representative Vic Kohring and State Representative Beverly Masek.
Early life and career Anderson was born in Anchorage, one of two sons of Col. Tom R. Anderson, former director of the Alaska State Troopers and later general manager of the Sullivan Arena, and his wife Christiane.Shinohara, Rosemary. (2002-10-16). "Young guns aim for House District 19 — Owen Carey, Tom Anderson each boast deep Anchorage roots." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.Shinohara, Rosemary. (2000-08-04). "Wuerch aide wins school board seat." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-09. Anderson attended Muldoon Elementary School and Clark Junior High, and graduated from Bartlett High School in 1985. He attended University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) from 1985 to 1993, earning a B.A. in Political Science in 1989 and an M.A. in Public Administration in 1993. Beginning in 1991, while still a student at UAA, he served as chief of staff for Representative Terry Martin, an East Anchorage Republican who was first elected to the House in 1978. In that capacity, Anderson was also an aide for the legislature's Budget and Audit Committee and the House Finance Committee. During this time he was also on the board of directors for the Anchorage Parking Authority Board from 1992 to 1995 and, from 1995 to 1996, he was vice-chair of the Anchorage Light & Power Commission.
Anderson then returned to school, attending Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1996 to 1999, when he earned his Juris Doctor, and on returning to Anchorage became a legal and public affairs consultant. He served on the Anchorage Zoning Board of Appeals and Examiners from 1999 to 2001 and in 2000 was a member of the transition team for Anchorage Mayor George Wuerch. He also worked as a law clerk for local attorneys.
In August 2000, Anderson was appointed over 29 other applicants by the Anchorage School Board, on a vote of 5 to 1, to fill out the term of school board member Kathi Gillespie, who had resigned the previous month. In April 2001, Anderson was defeated for a full term on the board by challenger Jake Metcalfe.Porco, Peter. (2001-04-05). "School Board Seat A heads toward runoff — Election: Leading candidate Tim Steele falls short, receives less than 50 percent of vote." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
Consulting business Anderson registered for a business license for a consulting business called Alaska Strategic Consultants on November 9, 1999.Corporations Database. Alaska Strategic Consultants . Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing, Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Retrieved on 2007-05-11. In 2001, Anderson, through his consulting business, had six clients, each of which paid him over $1,000. The clients included the electronic parts supplier Frigid North and the bar, restaurant, and liquor trade association Anchorage Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association (CHARR). In 2002, Anderson, acting as CHARR's executive director, received $40,800 from the association.Demer, Lisa. (2006-12-09). "Anderson was a lobbyist before being a lawmaker — 'Hardworking': The year he won his House seat, one client paid him $40,800." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
Legislative career
23rd Alaska Legislature In 2002 Anderson, then serving as executive director of the Anchorage Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association (CHARR), a trade association of Anchorage-area bars and restaurants, ran as a Republican against Democrat Owen Carey for Alaska House District 19, covering the Muldoon area of Anchorage. He defeated Carey in the November 5 election.Cockerham, Sean. (2002-11-06). "French defeats Donley for Senate seat — Majority: Despite that loss, Republicans retain control of House and Senate." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
With other legislators, Anderson was sworn into office at the state capital in Juneau as a member of the 23rd Alaska Legislature on January 21, 2003.Inklebarger, Timothy. (2003-01-21). "Game on: Lawmakers sworn in for 23rd legislative session." Juneau Empire. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. Anderson served as chair of the House Labor and Commerce Committee and Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. He was also a member of the House committees on Community and Regional Affairs and Administrative Regulation Review, the Finance Subcommittees in the Administration, Corrections, Public Safety, and Revenue committees, and, during the first legislative session (in 2003), the Conference Committee on SJR 8.Alaska Legislature. (2003-05-29). "Member Information: Representative Tom Anderson." Through Internet Archive. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
During the first legislative session in 2003, Anderson championed House Bill 49, of which he was co-sponsor, to expand the state DNA database by requiring DNA samples from all convicted felons; any person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime against a person, such as assault; and anyone convicted of a misdemeanor sex offense. The bill applied the DNA sample requirement retroactively to people currently imprisoned or on parole for those crimes, as well as anyone required to register as a sex offender. Some serious juvenile offenders were also included under HB 49.Alaska Legislature. HB 49: "An Act relating to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification registration system and testing; and providing for an effective date." Status date 2003-06-13. 23rd Alaska Legislature, Bill Action and Status Inquiry System. Retrieved on 2007-06-14.Associated Press. (2003-06-14). "Laws expand DNA database, lengthen jail time for some — Crime: Other bills include one closing a loophole in state's stalking statutes." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. The bill enjoyed wide bipartisan support,Tsong, Nicole. (2003-10-27). "Judge bars DNA sampling — Lawsuit: Restraining order issued in case brought by John Doe sex offender." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. and was signed into law by Gov. Frank Murkowski on June 13, 2003. However, in October 2003 a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order which disallowed the state from requiring DNA samples from convicted sex offenders who had completed their sentences unless the state had first obtained a warrant and shown probable cause to believe a crime had been committed. Ultimately, the portion of the law requiring registered sex offenders who had completed their sentences to provide DNA samples was struck down as unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge John Sedwick; other provisions of the law remained intact.Tsong, Nicole. (2005-02-12). "Sex crime DNA rule shot down — Court: Offenders whose sentences were over by 2003 are affected." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
In the second legislative session in 2004, Anderson was the House sponsor of a "payday loan" bill to regulate short-term, high-interest loans. The bill was passed and signed into law by Gov. Frank Murkowski in June 2004. Critics charges that the new law did not regulate loaners enough, still permitting them to charge fees for payday loans that amounted to interest rates of over 300 percent when calculated on an annual percentage basis. An Associated Press wire story about the bill noted that Anderson had received campaign contributions of $500 each (for a total of $1000) from the two co-owners of Cash Alaska, a payday lending company that had also hired former state senator Tim Kelly to push for the bill. (The Senate sponsor of the bill, John Cowdery, had received a $500 campaign contribution from one of the owners of the business).Brown, Cathy. (2004-07-01). "Governor signs bill on high-interest loans — New rules: 'Payday' companies to be regulated, but some say not enough." Associated Press wire story. Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
Northeast Community Council Anderson played a significant role over two years from 2002 to 2004 in changing the composition of Anchorage's Northeast Community Council to reflect more conservative political and economic views. Anderson encouraged friends and allies, including pastors and members of the locally influential Anchorage Baptist Temple, to pack the town meeting-style community council elections. By May 2004, six of the nine community council board members, including its president, were friends and political allies of Anderson. While Anchorage's community councils have no real authority, they are influential with the Anchorage Assembly because, according to Dick Traini, then chair of the Anchorage Assembly, "they are the active people in the community that choose to be involved." Community council involvement has been a first step in the political careers of several Alaska politicians.Shinohara, Rosemary. (2004-05-07). "Muldoon council reshaped — Rep. Anderson coup: Six of nine board members are people he supports." Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.