Former Mat-Su Rep. Bev Masek sentenced to six months

Former Republican state representative Beverly Masek was sentenced to six months in federal prison, three years probation and a one-hundred dollar fee in the Anchorage federal district court on Thursday morning.

Masek’s case is part of a tangled web of corruption cases connected to oilfield service company VECO and its former CEO Bill Allen.

Federal investigators filed charges that Masek conspired to accept bribes from Allen and VECO’s former vice president Rick Smith in 2003. Masek had introduced a change in oil taxation, a bill that would have been to the disadvantage of oil companies and ultimately VECO. Allen and Smith met with Masek and paid her 4,000 dollars in two installments to kill the bill. She later approached Allen for more money.

Masek pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in March.

Prosecutors sought 18 to 24 months of prison time. Her defense lawyer asked for no jail and only probation.

Masek will serve the six months in a minimum federal jail facility. She is also required to sign up for an alcohol rehabilitation program.

Masek served five terms in the State House representing Matanuska and Susitna valley residents.