Tom Anderson REPRepublican

Thomas T. Anderson (August 4, 1967 – February 10, 2024) was a partner at Optima Public Relations in Anchorage, Alaska and host of the "Tom Anderson Show" radio talk show (www.TomAndersonShow.com) on KVNT 92.5 FM and 1020 AM in Anchorage and Mat-Su. Anderson, a Republican, was an Alaska state representative for District 19 representing northeast Anchorage for two terms, from 2003 to 2007. He became known for his sponsorship of legislation which expanded Alaska's DNA database to assist in forensic identification of criminal suspects through DNA testing. On December 6, 2006, Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven felony counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and money laundering involving allegations that he took bribes of nearly $13,000 in return for using his official position as a legislator to advocate for the certificate of need (CON) issuance for a residential psychiatric treatment center (RPTC) associated with the Gov. Frank Murkowski "Bring the Kids Home" initiative, and for contract changes relating to a community confinement center (halfway house) in Anchorage. In July 2007 he was found guilty on all seven felony counts and was sentenced in October 2007 to 60 months imprisonment to commence at the Federal Prison Camp in Sheridan, Oregon, on December 3, 2007. Anderson was one of seven legislators indicted, including U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, State Senator John Cowdery, former Speaker of the House Pete Kott, State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, State Representative Vic Kohring and State Representative Beverly Masek.