Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board

In 2003, Sen. Ted Stevens created the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board through an appropriations bill, and his son, Ben, was appointed by the secretary of commerce, after being recommended by Ted Stevens, as the board’s founding chairman from 2003 until 2006.

As chairman, Ben Stevens approved federally-funded grants of more than $29 million to processing companies, many of which were “consulting” clients of Ben Stevens and his business partner, Trevor McCabe. These companies also paid Ben Stevens as a consultant either directly, through related companies or through industry groups such as the North Pacific Crab Association. During the time Ben Stevens served on the board, his consulting fees from companies receiving grants made payments to him of more than $250,000, according to Ben Stevens’ financial disclosure statements.

Ben Stevens was also fined by the Alaska Public Offices Commission for failing to disclose his position on the board for two years. [Alaska probe turns from oil to fish, Seattle Times, 10/4/2006; Stevens discloses board work, Anchorage Daily News, 10/29/2005; Salmon jet lures fund questions, Anchorage Daily News, 10/6/2005]

Duane Gibson, a former aide to Ted Stevens, and his brother benefited from AFMB money going to their dog treat company, Arctic Paws. In 2005, Arctic Paws received a $150,000 grant from the AFMB and a second $142,000 grant in 2006 to market its ‘Yummy Chummies’ salmon-flavored dog treats. [Stevens Stops Backing Controversial Board, Roll Call, 5/9/2007]

In 2007, after the Department of Justice targeted Ted and Ben Stevens in a political corruption probe, Ted Stevens abandoned his support for the controversial board. [Stevens Stops Backing Controversial Board, Roll Call, 5/9/2007]