Bill Allen, the central figure in Alaska's public corruption scandal, was sentenced this morning to three years in prison fined $750,000.
U.S. District Judge John Sedwick acknowledged Allen's cooperation with the long-running federal investigation. Allen pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy and tax violations more than two years ago and since then has been a key witness in a string of high-profile corruption trials. Allen "did what he could with what he had, and the system is designed to give benefits to people who do that," the judge said.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Allen could have received 33 to 41 months in prison, the judge said. Prosecutors recommended 46 months, just under four years, in prison.
Allen, 72, showed no visible reaction as the sentence was delivered.
Allen left the court building with an entourage that included several family members and a detail of at least three private security guards. He said nothing as he passed news media to three waiting black SUVs. One of the security guards wore a Mine That Bird ballcap, a reference to the horse co-owned by Allen's son, Mark, that won this year's Kentucky Derby.
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