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Support for Tom Anderson arrives as sentencing nears : comments

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Posted: October 12, 2007 - 2:46 am

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42 October 21, 2007 - 9:36am | Damouse

The law regarding campaign contributions is so murky that, if they waned to, the Feds could put every single politician down.

The real lesson here is those laws need to be clarified so that there are no such questions in the future.

Louis J Sheehan

41 October 14, 2007 - 9:57pm | akimage

Lets See Now ?

They go to church on Sunday, beat their wife on Monday, get drunk on Tuesday, go to the prostitute on Wednesday, cheat their neighbor on Thursday, gamble on Friday, get drunk again on Saturday....I believe it was President Harry Truman who said this...

40 October 13, 2007 - 5:44pm | smoon2

The sentence needs to be right at the maximum allowed

If the sentencing is not severe, I fear that other elected officials will not see the need to think about their actions before they forge ahead. I would like to see them make a huge example with these first several cases so that the message is crystal clear. That way elected officials will think about their constiuents before they think about their own interests.

39 October 13, 2007 - 4:41pm | melvinwill

Double Time

Any person in an elected office should be held to a higher standard than the rest of the criminals out there and should spend twice the time in jail as a regular citizen convicted of a crime!

38 October 12, 2007 - 7:13pm | ictw57

Guilty

The jury heard all the evidence and found him gulity as charged. His friends and supporters are not considering that they were asked to only write support letters. Not very many could be found out of all of his constituates. In fact a lot of his support is from out of his district. He needs to go to JAIL.

37 October 12, 2007 - 6:48pm | JetRx

Even More Suspects

Just take a look at the "list" of Anderson's supporters. They marginalize all hard-working Alaskans who count on their legislature to be advocates for a better society. I'm sure Lesil will be watching who waves the "Free Tom" flag and somewhere down the road...

36 October 12, 2007 - 5:31pm | geefour907

No Leniency Deserved

Main Entry: lenient

1: exerting a soothing or easing influence : relieving pain or stress 2: of mild and tolerant disposition; especially : indulgent

Mr. Anderson's previous good works do not excuse him from the consequences of his actions. Mr. Anderson continued to lie throughout his trial claiming he was innocent of the charges filed against him. It is not in the best interests of the State of Alaska he, nor any other public servant found guilty of malfeasance, be shown any mercy at sentencing.

35 October 12, 2007 - 5:45pm | desaerica

Then Anderson can take

his ill-equipped gullibility meter all the way to the slammer. He'll need it. By the way, any of you bloggers recall the name GEORGE HOHMAN? SENATOR GEORGE HOHMAN?

34 October 12, 2007 - 2:59pm | shasta2

Judge Sedwick...

No mercy for these well informed men.The letters that are written in his behalf are the very reasons to find for years in prison. Making excuses but then a poor guy comes to court..Where is justice. Not for the poor but for cop's as the U.S> Senate son's? That will make the addage that the rich and political get away with putting down the pipeline for hundreds of future guys who want to work but everything got delayed due to guys like him.employees

33 October 12, 2007 - 2:23pm | shasta2

He is a cop's son...

He knows better. His Dad perhaps droped the ball but he should have known and in a cops family people go to jail if they do wrong.. But justice is green.. He has had all the advantages in life and look at him and others like him now.. We give him a fair trial and now lets hang em....

32 October 12, 2007 - 1:15pm | aswkc1

Tom Anderson

Who cares that he was a good person in the past. People change over time. He was convicted of the crimes and he should do the time. What he did was the PAST... Don't dwell on it.

31 October 12, 2007 - 12:31pm | este

Leisle's available?

He'll have a lot of time to wonder who is cheating with his new wife. He knows how willing she was to cheat with him! With a foundation of infidelity they can both expect that of the other. But with him in prison, the thought is yucky.

October 12, 2007 - 1:08pm | stomp0144

wonder if Lesil is a three input women.... I sure hope so...

30 October 12, 2007 - 12:14pm | larryhoule

Mr. Anderson

Even Idi Amin could get good references.

29 October 12, 2007 - 11:38am | pamster

Tom's Time

As a resident and voter of Alaska I believe that Anderson should do the max time for his corruption. I am sorry for his family but the fact remains that he did the crime. We need to send a message to our elected officials that says "No More !" We do mean business.

28 October 12, 2007 - 11:38am | elwing

If this remorse wasn't aimed at getting a lighter sentence, maybe. But its as calculated as he was. Naive is a child or someone with diminished capacity. This was a grown man with an insider's lack of decency. That isn't naive. Its criminal.

27 October 12, 2007 - 11:18am | bballrob_returns

WRITE A LETTER YOURSELF!!!

We need to do more than just post on this board. Write a letter to the judge encouraging him to throw the book at this guy.

As others have already said. He's not sorry for what he did. He's only sorry he got caught. If he had pled guilty a week after the indictment came out, then I might be one to say grant some leniency.

But when you force the government to prove their case, WHICH THEY DID, you deserve nothing less than the maximum sentence for the crimes you were convicted of.

It's a shame that Lesil's new boyfriend will have to be the one getting up in the middle of the night now to take care of Tom's son. Heaven forbid she should have to interrupt her much needed beauty sleep to take care of her own kids.

The judge's address is:

The Honorable Judge John Sedwick
U.S. District Court
222 W 7th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99513

With sentencing scheduled for Monday, mailing today is probably too late. Deliver them personally to the federal building downtown.

October 12, 2007 - 1:20pm | DecemberRain

I can't get down there. Do

I can't get down there. Do you know of a FAX number?

October 12, 2007 - 3:44pm | bballrob_returns

Fax number

I don't have a fax number, but I imagine if you call his Judicial Assistant, Gail Morgan, at 677-6251, she can give it to you.

October 12, 2007 - 7:22pm | DecemberRain

Gail will love you, bballrob!

LOL

October 15, 2007 - 11:24am | bballrob_returns

While I believe that he has

While I believe that he has hurt the entire state, I think the people with the most standing in the eyes of the judge would be people who lived in his district. If I was one of those, I would definitely have submitted a letter.

And I posted Gail's number, because it was the most direct number available on the state website under Judge Sedwick's name.

26 October 12, 2007 - 10:53am | rainorshine

He is only sorry he got caught.

While all of the "Friends of Tom Anderson" were busy raising his legal defense funds, Tom knew he was guilty the whole time. Don't his friends ever learn? Then he makes the fed and state spend lots of money and effort to see if they can prove that he was guilty. They did! I hope the judge takes these facts into consideration.

25 October 12, 2007 - 11:38am | stomp0144

who's

goona be the first to bang Lesil while Tom is in the clink...?

October 12, 2007 - 12:15pm | bballrob_returns

Probably...

...someone that's married. And, I'm guessing, it will happen BEFORE she officially divorces him.

October 12, 2007 - 1:11pm | DecemberRain

No divorce. . .

She won't divorce him-- she is having too much fun playing the strong wife at church. Hand holding, praying at the altar, vigorous head nodding and whatever.

24 October 12, 2007 - 11:18am | wtz

Boohoohoo

If prosecutors were seeking maximum sentences, we'd be talking about more than 100 years. And anybody who thinks Lesil didn't know what was going on is either naive or in denial. I hope you people in her district do not re-elect her. Politicians, cops and judges who are convicted of ANY crime should get MANDATORY MAXIMUM sentences, just like the mandatory minimum sentences for crack dealers.

23 October 12, 2007 - 10:32am | otiswaynehale

Anderson

He should have considered the consequences while he was breaking his sworn oath and the public trust. No mercy.

22 October 12, 2007 - 10:16am | bjf

SB 56

On March 22, 2005 Governor Frank Murkowski signed the Criminal Sentencing Bill (SB 56) into law. Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault, Sen. Ralph Seekins , Rep. Ralph Samuels and Rep. Lesil McGuire, the legislation replaces presumptive sentences of set terms with sentencing ranges (all of which were longer) for felony criminal cases. The sponsor's crowed that the new law brings certainty to Alaska’s sentencing procedures, protects the rights of defendants and gives new powers to our law enforcement community to fight crime. Too bad that the Feds cannot use this law in sentencing Tom Anderson because without a doubt he would end up getting a longer sentence if that was the case. Maybe the State of Alaska will seek charges after the federal prosecutors are done in the same way the State of Virginia is now prosecuting Michael Vick.

The irony of such an outcome would be significant as Tom working hand in glove with then House Judiciary Chairman Lesil McGuire carried most of the administration’s water through that particular committee. Because the Feds have only looked at the amount of money that they can prove Tom took the real damage is not being measured or considered. If you read the minutes of Anderson’s arguments for extending sentences, limiting appeals and focusing on the rights of victims it would be truly justice for an Alaska court to hear this case and apply longer sentences based on the harm done to the legislative process and State of Alaska – the state prosecutor will easily be able to show that extending prison sentences would be a direct benefit to Mr. Anderson's clients and a direct cost to the State. My guess is the numbers are in the many millions per year.

Let’s hope that Governor Sara Palin appreciates fully the efforts of her predecessor and that Mr. Anderson’s newfound contrition is measured in the context of what he would have done and has done.

21 October 12, 2007 - 10:12am | darcybromleyharris

Be responsible for your own actions.

As an adult he needs to take responsibility for his own actions, especially as an elected official with responsibility to his constituents. He knew exactly what he was doing, wasn't very good at it, and is just sorry he got caught. This cannot be blamed on an "ill-equipped gullibility meter". That is pathetic.
And didn't Lesil ever wonder, or ask where the extra money was coming from?

20 October 12, 2007 - 10:04am | mpofak

If he acknowledges he did wrong then why the trial??

If Tom Anderson is so contrite then why would he have put the american public through the expense of the trial? He might be sorry now but he is only sorry he got convicted and now wants to play the sympathy card. He should be punished to the absolute fullest extent of the law.

19 October 12, 2007 - 9:44am | gmete

Tom Anderson is a lying hypocite...

...and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. His finaly act of cowardness by asking for liniency after lying to us about his innocence and then finally admitting he was guilty was the last straw.

All these people who wrote letters of support are fools and it is my hope that the judge discards them like yesterdays trash.

He should get the full sentence. I hope his supporters are reading these comments and realize how much he has hurt this state and the reputation of honorable Alaskan politicians.

18 October 12, 2007 - 9:22am | trish_houser

Think of the children?

While I can appreciate Rep. Harris' sentiment, I do not understand how a lenient sentence will help anyone.

Did Tom Anderson not know he had children when he committed crimes against the state and the people of Alaska? Did it never occur to him that he could go to jail for his actions and his children would be left basically fatherless? Isn't it possible that in Alaska's climate of corruption he was anticipating not to be caught at all and if so, receiving just a slap on the wrist?

If you truly want to 'think of the children', Mr. Anderson will receive a firm but fair punishment and own up to what he did and be accountable for his decisions and take his punishment in a respectable way.

Light and lenient sentencing only shows our young people that there are no real repercussions to breaking the law and the public trust.

In my opinion, all those found guilty of corruption should be given very stiff penalties to discourage this behavior in the future. Isn't that why we have these laws in the first place?

17 October 12, 2007 - 8:58am | xango_xango

On the Porch with the Big Dogs

No more playin' on the porch with with the big dogs, he'll be playing in the pen with the perps. Hopefully, Tom and all Alaskans will benefit from this chapter of Alaskan history, time will tell.

16 October 12, 2007 - 8:54am | cleaningworld

Tommy:

''He makes quick trips to the store to tell stories'' To who?,Frank? Hey Frank,I'm at the 7-11,did you make the drop? Well,Tommy,look at the bright side.In 8 years or so,you can become a real lobbyist for Cornell,cause you can say you actually visited one of their prisons,tick tock,tick tock.

15 October 12, 2007 - 9:09am | DecemberRain

I Vomit.

Just the fact that someone from ABT said anything makes me wonder. It nauseates me that Christianity will publicly take the broken amongst us and "help them" while they accept Jesus-- as long as they've got money and power or a good "testimony" that they often exaggerate later on up the road.

My ex husband got in front of a church and threw himself at the altar, "Please Jesus! Make me whoooole! I am a broken maaaaaan! I love my wife! You made us one!"

Everyone encouraged me to go back with one Titus woman squeezing my hand, "He loves you! Don't you see? Let no man separate what the Lord hath created!" So at the tender age of 20, I got six months more of what I left him over. (Abuse. Beatings. Got my head smashed into a wall and the nice women came to pray with me but didn't acknowledge what was happening.)

Tom won't change in a public scene. And what's Paul doing supporting this? Paul is a decent person, but he's a lawyer, not a good little Christian!

Tom isn't in trouble for being a nice guy. He's in trouble for what he's been found guilty of, breaking ethical laws.

So if Lesil stands by her man, she will get to be a public pillar of strength, fawned over by everyone and be a great Christian Woman (judging teen pregnancies behind their backs, scoffing at the wayward ways of the youth and gossiping and living with the upper ranking hens at the church, avoiding the truly needy) while everyone pretends to forget that she was living with Tom while they were both married to other people. I'm not even judging that-- if you are going to be a good little Christian, the time to do it is before you get caught or if you do it after you get caught, be quiet about it and reform and don't make the rest of us sick.

At least Bill Bobrick is Jewish and they aren't into public displays like this.

October 12, 2007 - 9:22am | desaerica

Me too, December Rain

I said it before, and I'll say it again, this "Man of the Cloth" mentions how Anderson recognizes, accepts and abstains. Nothing about repentance. Healing is for his victims, not the one who caused the wounds. Clary, and other coming-to-you-live-blasphemers must have forgotten the basic Thou-Shalt-Not's. This wolf in sheeps clothing must have overlooked II Tim: 1-5. If Clary says, "He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone," my response would be, as David said to Goliath, "take that." thunk.

October 12, 2007 - 9:36am | DecemberRain

AMEN, sistah!

(That's the most religious I have been in a long time.)

I wonder how much money Tom has given to the church.

October 12, 2007 - 12:49pm | desaerica

And Amen

Organized churches in Alaska are notorious for sheltering perps. One time Jerry Prevo even got caught publicly for setting up two guys dressed in devil costumes to attend a picket of his church re: apartheid, Nelson Mandela, etc. They had signs that read, "this is my kind of crowd, I hate Dr. Prevo." They were sent to disrupt our picket by him. He tried to wiggle out of it in public by writing a letter saying it was a joke that backfired. What a liar. Him and Clary are cut from the same cloth. As if Jesus would do that. His church looks more like headquarters for the republican party instead of a house of prayer. Shmucks.

October 12, 2007 - 1:18pm | DecemberRain

Brinin' out the devil in Prevo

You brought out the devil in Prevo, Desaerica!

My eldest was two years old and we went past there at Christmas. While I love Christmas lights, their display of course was over the top. My friend said, "Can you say ostentatious?" My little girl said, "Ostentatious!"

That was her first word. Of course we burst out laughing and recently (my daughter is now 18) my daughter said, "Why do I think, 'ostentatious' whenever I go past that place? It's always ostentatious, not 'gaudy' or 'schmaltzy.'"

Prevo did do a good job on the Chuck Boozer show on one of the country stations in the early '90's-- he seemed pretty normal on that. It was his finest hour.

October 12, 2007 - 3:30pm | desaerica

Prevo's finest hour that never was!

ALL who prey on others ALWAYS put on a "cloak of righteousness" - ALWAYS. I wonder what's their next move re: Anderson? Sainthood. Tom Anderson, the patron saint of all that is sacred.

14 October 12, 2007 - 8:17am | tony10

Please consider this

a letter to the contrary and subtract one of the 22 letters of support. This is the most insideous type of crime and is the root of societies problems. Throw the book at him and everyone else that choose to betray the public trust.

13 October 12, 2007 - 8:14am | arv

My letter to the JUDGE

Your Honor. Tom is a SLIMBALL that has lied to the people of Alaska. He can not be trusted. He told everybody that "I didn't do it". He lied to the court and when he was found GUILTY, his lawyer told him to tell the truth now and act like he SORRY. So in closing your Honor, please put Tom in Jail for 8 years and keep him there while his lawyer file all the appeals he can. Tom sold out the people of the State of Alaska for his own greed of MONEY.

12 October 12, 2007 - 7:56am | akadventurer

Disgusting

I can't believe Speaker Harris and others would write letters of support for Anderson. Hes a crook who pleaded not guilty and was found quilty. Shame on those supporting this looser

11 October 12, 2007 - 7:48am | saslin

Excuse me!

How can we send letters to the prosecuters supporting their position?

October 12, 2007 - 8:16am | arv

Drop off your letter at the Clerk of the Courts office in Person

10 October 12, 2007 - 7:45am | freezinfranz

Nice article

Good Luck Tom - you have some great letters on your behalf. Some people will kick you when you're down. Just get back up and keep your head held high. Leniency is the right thing for this guy.

October 12, 2007 - 9:29am | desaerica

Yeah, right, freezinfranz

If this guy deserves leniency, then I'm the merry Christmas Barbie.

October 12, 2007 - 9:39am | DecemberRain

Don't be such a moron, FreezinFranz

When he was "up," he was violating public trust! When he was up, he'd screwed around on his wife with his present wife. When he was up, you numbskull, he did some very stupid, illegal!

This isn't like his dad is dying of cancer and he forgot to vote on something because he had to leave state, or his wife was in a comma and he made a pass at a pretty doctor. He wasn't a gambler who lost everything to his addiction and needs a job. This is a guy who was trying to get away with something with one of the biggest slimeballs in the city, Bill Bobrick!

And now he is trying to be a nice little Christian! People like him are why I don't bother going to church. God sees through this, and so do the rest of us.

9 October 12, 2007 - 7:35am | fishwrapper

Anderson & Bobrick Ruse

How much money would their scam have generated had they not been caught when they were, and for how long? After all Bobrick admits to grooming Anderson to take over his lucrative city lobbying business. No doubt they would have continued to take bribes and launder them thru their phony "interent new letter."

Let's hope the judge takes that into consideration.

8 October 12, 2007 - 7:30am | packy

Funny story

This is better than the comics page!

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