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Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

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Alaska GOP: Begich's state disclosure missed info

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: August 21, 2008 - 8:17 pm

From David Hulen in Anchorage --

Below is a story from the AP following up on the Alaska Public Offices Commission complaint filed against Mark Begich earlier this summer by McHugh Pierre, spokesman for the Alaska Republican Party.

The essence of the complaint: That Begich's federal financial disclosure form he had to file as a Senate candidate doesn't match up with the information he submitted on the disclosure he's required to file to APOC as mayor, and that some income was missing from the state form.

Here's Begich's response referred to in the story, filed earlier this month. He says Pierre was off-base in the complaint (the federal reporting period is longer, he notes, so the figures don't necessarily match up). But Begich acknowledges that some of his wife's income was "inadvertently omitted" on his state form. (Yellow highlights are from Pierre, who e-mailed the response to news media today).

GOP accuses Begich of breaking campaign promise

By STEVE QUINN
Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU — So far, Ted Stevens and Mark Begich have kept the gloves on during this U.S. Senate race.

But their backers have become embroiled in a public spat over Begich's financial disclosures, even though the Anchorage mayor and the incumbent U.S. senator are officially opponents yet.

With just a few days remaining before Alaskans select general election candidates for one of the nation's most high profile Senate races, the argument gained steam Thursday.

State GOP spokesman McHugh Pierre said Begich broke his campaign promise to be open with his earnings. He already had filed a complaint with the Alaska Public Offices Commission late last month.

Pierre claims the Democratic front-runner did not submit some of his wife's stock holdings in disclosure forms.

While Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet acknowledges the error, she says it was an accident and there was no effort to hide the $15,000 earnings.

Hasquet said Pierre is trying to divert attention from Stevens, who faces felony charges of failing to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts.

Pierre said he's simply trying to hold Begich to his word saying the Begich's television ads of men in black suits getting cleansed by walking through a car wash rings hollow.

"This is to make sure voters know Mark Begich doesn't keep his campaign promises and voters need to take that information with them to the booths," Pierre said. "Maybe he should go through the car wash like those guys in the ads."

Hasquet questions the timing of Pierre's complaints.

Pierre filed the grievance July 30, one day after Stevens was indicted.

Begich responded one week later, but Pierre didn't press the issue publicly until this week when Stevens lost a venue change request in federal court.

"McHugh Pierre is a political pawn whose job it is to throw darts at Mark Begich," Hasquet said. "The Republican party should be ashamed. This is exactly the type of dirty politics that Alaska voters do not want to see anymore."

Pierre said he found numerous discrepancies between the federal financial disclosures and those filed with the state, saying the state filing lacked crucial details.

He also stressed that the Stevens federal case did not drive him to file a complaint.

"This has nothing to do with Stevens indictments," Pierre said. "Those are felony charges. This is a separate issue, and it's on a state level."
Hasquet said if there needs to be any corrections, they will be made.

In his response to the complaint, Begich wrote, "(T)he information reported on the two forms differs because the state and federal forms seek different information, ask different questions, cover a different reporting periods and require different disclosures."
Begich and Stevens are presumed to be the general election opponents, but must first win respective primary races on Tuesday.

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14 August 24, 2008 - 4:55pm | Gus_Davis

"Hill" Article

The GOP held a press conference criticizing Begich about his forms on July 31, the same day Stevens was arraigned in federal court.

A similar pattern followed this week. Just a day after Stevens’s attorneys lost a court battle to move the senator’s criminal trial to Alaska, the state Republican Party tried to draw attention to Begich’s problems.

Pierre on Thursday highlighted an Aug. 5 letter from Begich to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, detailing his investments and defending himself against the GOP accusation. Pierre also pointed to a June 2007 letter from Begich saying that he forgot to report $25,000 in interest earned on two properties. Pierre took this to mean that the Democrat has a history of making false statements.

Maybe if Frank'n Renkes hadn't dismantled the APOC, Begich would be in some sort of trouble.

13 August 24, 2008 - 2:17pm | kaisersoze

Juuuulie?

So when Mark does it it’s an “accident?” Ted does it:” why he should be indicted!” Hummm. Well Mark is a dem and he spends a lot of the City's money on ADN ads ("Mark Begich, Mayor" in 186 font) so I guess that’s fair (?). Julie, it must be hard not to laugh every time you read Mark’s website (ethics section). So, how’s Bill Bobrick? Remember Bill? Marks right-hand, money-man, now turned felon? Surely you must remember how fast and loose Bill lobbied while Mark was on the Assembly (many of us do—and we would just loooove to talk about it). I hear Bill’s out and just a blogg’in away. Hummmm, wonder what he missed while he was in prison. I see his massive ego is still intact (and his lack of common-sense and self control).
Julie, how did you get to this place in your life? You have fallen so far….what happened to you? You should smile more.

12 August 22, 2008 - 10:48pm | alaskaveteran

ADN SOOO biased

Did you notice the ADN ran its story about Begich's disclosure on page 2 or 3 - instead of the front page like all the Stevens story they run. stevens could repeal all income tax and they would find a way to work into the story that he's under investigation. But never a mention of the wonder boy's sweetheart deals for his friends and contributors. Look every day at the photos they run of the two -- Mark's smiling official photo in contrast with a scowling Ted stevens.

August 23, 2008 - 11:35am | AK_Lady

Oh, I noticed alright.

Have you noticed how thin the ADN is now compared to years gone by?

August 23, 2008 - 8:16pm | rfn

Ah, but has anyone

hefted a print edition of The Veco Times of late?

August 24, 2008 - 1:48pm | AK_Lady

They're ahead of their TIME

Hard copes are soon to be a thing of the past.

August 24, 2008 - 1:56pm | rfn

Kohring.

And, since "soon" is used, like Stevens and maybe Young.

August 23, 2008 - 10:59pm | LilysDaddy

Well,

their home delivery costs are w-a-y down.

11 August 22, 2008 - 2:34pm | davestone

Make Room

I finally understand why Republicans are always voting to build more prisons, they don’t want to share a room when they join other GOP inmates.

August 24, 2008 - 2:45pm | Gus_Davis

Levenworth

Hey I made a comment about giving TED a cell with Peltier.

Sorry if it was any offense, but what could be better to help the history lesson than them talking about the times, circa 197?.

Pretty sure Leavenworth is either closed and or Peltier is transferred , but at least a tour of the deafining machine shop and a night there for TED.

August 22, 2008 - 3:03pm | Natalie_0

Good point.....

...Well, they always said they had a vision...perhaps in their vision they saw "bars"...and decided to plan for the future!

10 August 22, 2008 - 1:28pm | Natalie_0

Dear Mayor Begich...

Don't worry....most of us understand where all this is coming from. Its election time and, unfortunately, its also the time that Alaska's savage dogs come out of the woodwork...its a type of Iditarod that Alaska's republicans don't won't most to know about (smile). But this time..its a little different...things are a little more intense for them...because for the first time...in the history of Alaska's election...they're afraid. And you know what? They should be.

August 22, 2008 - 1:34pm | rfn

The fear is not confined to one side

of the aisle, though the luck seems to be holding for one side, at least this week.

Be patient.....still a couple of months for The FBI to function.

August 22, 2008 - 3:11pm | Natalie_0

Don't worry....I'm patient!

I know the FBI intends to stick around for awhile. I said before that they were here to do some "hunting" in Alaska and I know they haven't finished catching all the "grizzlies" they wanted so I imagine that the FBI will be here at least until after the election. I'd like to see them get what they came for before hibernation sets in!

August 24, 2008 - 11:05am | akmooster

so nat...

It's okay for marky to do what he has done just because he's an d?
That's where you d's lose me and lose your credibility.

9 August 22, 2008 - 8:44am | akmooster

dear mark...

ted didn't disclose he gets indicted on 7 felonies.

you didn't disclose, oh it was just an oversight AGAIN.

you also forgot to disclose when given free interest in the Calais buildings which could be worth up to $475,000.

you SAY it was only worth $52,000 and had nothing to do with you helping the giver defraud the US government of $2 million in an official mayoral action.

you refuse, despite your political ads, to show your personal finances in this regard. WHY?

mark, SHOW US YOUR 2002 AND 2006 US TAX RETURNS!!! Prove what you got.

You are not worthy of being elected.

8 August 22, 2008 - 6:03am | tweedledeetweedledum

Sarah's failed dream to be VP candidate

CBS is reporting that Romney got selected. I can't believe that there are people who thought she stood even a remote chance.

September 15, 2008 - 2:33pm | jwilke

Yeah, what a bunch of

Yeah, what a bunch of idiots. We shoulda known Sarah never had a chance!

7 August 21, 2008 - 10:54pm | tlamb775

Mayor Mark hangs ten you-tubing at the liberal oasis

http://www.liberaloasis.com/2008/07/interview_with_senate_candidat.php

Is that a sheriff badge that he has on?

(smile)

Note to Zencey et al....... Thu Aug 21
07:50:26 AM **.**.*.*** Grist Magazine no associated domain name United States Seattle (Washington, 98104)

You think there is an intererest? NRDC and it's subsponsors?

Democrats complain about no drilling? What happened with BP and the refinery. And carbon credit lawsuits already starting in California. The list is long and can be put directly on the Democrats.

That puts the Alaska Gas Pipeline in jeopardy because of environmentalist and Democrats.

Note to Pierre, you are wasting your time on that point. Bill Allen and 2000 APOC is where Begich's achilles heel is. He can't go back and correct what was done.

August 22, 2008 - 12:06am | Gus_Davis

Hey you are a little

Hey you are a little scattered, T.

Is it a TAX issue? You know for sure? You can figure out where to go if you have the time. Get a calling card first. Then call and call and call.

6 August 21, 2008 - 10:26pm | TheSdog

Begich

always says it was an accident or he forgot or it does not matter.

Pravda is always right there to back him up though. We will never see Pravda run an editorial pointing out that this is the same kind of non-disclosure that Stevens is charged with. We may even get some nonsense regurgitating the "acceptable accident" spin.

It is laughable that the Ds think Marky Mark is the answer to corruption.

August 22, 2008 - 6:01am | erak

according to the Parking Garage article yesterday

it is called a water pistol, not a smoking gun. So no big deal, wink, wink... come on it's Markie. The ends justify the means because it is the right cause.

5 August 21, 2008 - 10:04pm |

Deleted

This post was deleted for being off topic or violating the ADN user agreement. We encourage readers to "flag" offensive or off-topic comments for review by ADN staff.

October 12, 2008 - 9:18pm | megal_11

yep, you hit that one right.

swf to avi converter can convert SWF files to various audio videos like SWF to MP3 Converter, SWF to AAC Converter, SWF to WMA Converter, etc.

4 August 21, 2008 - 9:48pm | Lysander_Spooner

What's up with Begich?

Why do these kinds of "inadvertant" filing errors keep happening with him? Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt integrity-wise, he's still either very forgetful or just plain stupid.

These are not qualities I want in my next senator.

3 August 21, 2008 - 9:47pm | akallegro

It is not know if Julie Hasquet

was asked a follow up question nor if she admitted that yes she was a political pawn of Mayor Begichs and would continue to support him no matter how many millions of dollars he has manipulated out of the pockets of Anchorage property tax payers and into the coffers of his close personal friends, business associates and political donors.

She was not asked why she thought it was ok for her democ-rats to pay for a sleaze ball with a video camera to follow Senator Stevens around hoping to catch him falling or using the term "um" more than once in a comment.

So far Ms. Hasquet has not flatly denied that she herself laundered the cash that came from the PAC associated with Vic "the Florida flip flopper" Vickers to the Begich Campaign.

Mayor Begich was not available to address the question of how he was able to funnel $380,000.00 of hard earned property taxes collected from Anchorage citizens directly to Mr Pfeffer for a parking lot that no one uses.

No one measured the size of the smirk on the Mayors face when he heard Mr Pfeffer's comment "it sounded good to us!"

Julie might not have heard any question about it but perhaps she is researching the close to 10,000.00 in cash Mayor Begich has paid for legal fees from campaign contribution funds.

So far no word yet from local reporters that have been combing through the Alaskans for Begich campaign reports that show almost all the $500.00 to $2000.00 contributions come not from Alaskans for Begich but from

Californians for Begich

New Yorkers for Begich

and

Washington DC for Begich.

2 August 21, 2008 - 9:36pm | sitkarose

Yawn

McHugh Pierre is little more than Frank Murkowski's hand maiden. Sorry college boy, we Alaskan's know that this is little more than something you dreamed up while checking Frank's bags in at Ted Steven's International.

1 August 21, 2008 - 9:19pm | auroragrl

Dirty laundry

I think it's pretty obvious that both parties are trying to drag out the dirty laundry of their opponents - it's only to be expected at this time of year, right before an election. In this case, Begich's failure to disclose may have been an accident, maybe not. I am more concerned with other allegations directed at Begich, such as the fact that he defaulted on $370,000 worth of loans. I'm not sure I can trust someone to take care of fiscal matters on the federal level if they can't manage their own personal finances.

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