Former VECO exec believed he was blackmailed over help to Stevens

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The former head of a major Alaska oil field services company testified Monday that he thought he was being blackmailed by a family member over remodeling services he provided to U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

Bill Allen, former CEO of VECO Corp., said believed he was being blackmailed by his nephew, Dave Anderson, after Allen sent VECO employees to remodel the Alaska home of Stevens, the longest serving Republican in U.S. Senate history.

Anderson has not been charged with blackmail.

Allen testified in the corruption trial of former state Rep. Vic Kohring, who is accused of demanding and accepting at least $2,600 from VECO officials in exchange for his support on legislation.

Allen's testimony that he had been blackmailed came during questioning from John Henry Browne, Kohring's attorney. Allen acknowledged that VECO employees had spent a "lot of time" at the home of Stevens but said he did not know all the details.

"It was booked but I don't know how much it was," he said.

Under follow-up questions from assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Bottini, Allen said he was upset by Anderson.

"I was pretty mad," he said.

Bottini asked if he had made statements that he wanted to kill Anderson. Allen said he didn't think so.

"I wouldn't have done that because his mother is my sister," he said.

Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they are investigating Stevens. Stevens has said while the contracting bills were first sent to VECO for accuracy checks, he paid all bills on the home that he received.