Aide to Governor Asks to Void Plea As Alaska Corruption Cases Continue

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—The former top aide to former Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) is arguing that the criminal corruption charge to which he pleaded guilty in 2008 should be thrown out in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling narrowing the definition of honest-services fraud (U.S. v. Clark).

Former Murkowski chief of staff Jim Clark filed a motion Sept. 15 in U.S. District Court contending that the legal basis for his plea was voided by the Supreme Court decision. Clark admitted securing of $68,550, in illegal campaign funds for the governor’s failed re-election attempt in exchange for promotion of ...