More pork in Alaska's scandal
Alaska's congressional delegation takes a back seat to no one when it comes to bringing home the bacon. The latest allegations implicate Republican Senator Ted Stevens. Steve Henn has details.
Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Scott Jagow: I'm not gonna stop you from rolling your eyes when I tell you this next bit. Today, the House is expected to approve some new rules for ethical behavior. The rules are supposed to make it harder for lawmakers to dole out money in pork barrel projects. Some members of Congress are especially good at bringing home the bacon. Here's Steve Henn:
Steve Henn: Last night Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens' house was raided by the FBI and IRS.
It's the latest development is a sprawling bribery investigation tying Alaskan lawmakers to one of the state's most successful businessmen, Bill Allen, the former president of VECO International.
Allen oversaw an elaborate renovation of Sen. Stevens home at a ski resort outside Anchorage.
Ken Boehm cofounder of the national legal and policy center says one of Bill Allen's business partners brought Stevens in on lucrative real estate deals, making the senator suddenly rich.
Ken Boehm: His income form investments that have come under investigation has gone through the roof.
Since 2000 Bill Allen's company, Veco International, has received more than $63 million in federal contracts and grants.
In Washington, I'm Steve Henn for Marketplace.
