ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Federal prosecutors have decided not to pursue an investigation of U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, over connections to an Alaska businessman convicted of bribing state lawmakers.
Young, 77, has been under investigation for several years, but documents filed in federal court last year first publicly linked him to a wide-ranging investigation of corruption in Alaska.
Young has denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly declined to speak on the matter, citing advice of his lawyers. His campaign has spent more than $1 million on his legal expenses.
Young’s legal team was notified Wednesday by the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice that the case will not be prosecuted, said a Young spokeswoman.
Young is running for his 20th term this year and has a Republican challenger, political newcomer Sheldon Fisher, in the Aug. 24 primary. Fisher did not see Wednesday’s announcement as exoneration. He said Young should release the DOJ correspondence clearing him of federal corruption charges.
