Cowdery asks for sentencing leniency

ANCHORAGE - A former Alaska state senator is asking a federal judge for leniency.

John Cowdery, a Republican from Anchorage, is scheduled to be sentenced March 10.

In December, the 78-year-old Cowdery admitted to conspiring with the head of VECO Corp., Bill Allen, to bribe another state senator to back VECO's position on pending oil-tax legislation in 2006. Allen has pleaded guilty to bribery.

A plea deal for Cowdery calls for a sentence of six to 12 months and a fine of up to $75,000.