For the last year or so, ugly truths about Alaskan politics have been oozing into the limelight as state and federal officials unravel a scandal involving cash bribes, an oil tax, bowling scores, and sleeping pills. Yes, you heard us right: an oil tax! The founder of an oil-field services company pled guilty this spring to bribery and conspiracy; he’s drug several state politicians with him, and The Washington Post reports that both Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) may have connections to him as well. Corruption in politics? Say it ain’t so.
