Alaska State Rep. receives 6 year sentence for Veco. Corp corruption.

CREW:

Another stiff sentence in the extensive Alaska corruption scandal:

In handing down the sentence on Friday, U.S. District Judge John Sedwick said he found that Kott, a former House speaker who represented Eagle River until last year, committed perjury in his testimony during his trial in September.

Kott's sentence also includes three years' probation, and he was ordered to receive alcoholism treatment.

Kott's attorney had argued that he should receive 33 months in prison - a little less than three years - while prosecutors had requested 10 years.

A federal jury convicted Kott, 58, of bribery, conspiracy and extortion for his role in advocating an oil tax pushed by Veco Corp. executives and favored by North Slope oil producers. He received nearly $9,000, a political poll for his re-election campaign and the promise of a job, all from Veco executives, according to testimony.

A key witness in Kott's trial was former Veco CEO Bill Allen, who along with a company vice president, Rick Smith, has pleaded guilty to bribing Kott and other lawmakers.