Alaska’s former attorney general has a new job.
Craig Richards will be the vice president and general counsel for the Bering Straits Native Corporation.
Richards said he looks forward to serving the Nome region.
“Really, what convinced me that it was the right place for me was just meeting everyone and seeing what a good rapport and good team environment they have, and the ability to help out the Nome region,” Richards said.
Richards had two contracts with the state after he abruptly resigned as attorney general in June. The first was for $50,000 to consult the state on oil and gas issues. Richards’ second contract was for $10,000 to advise on “fiscal and other issues.”
Gov. Bill Walker’s spokeswoman Katie Marquette said Richards’ work has ended. Richards declined to say what his new position will pay.
Richards was a close adviser to Walker on the proposed natural gas pipeline and on Walker’s plan to solve the state government’s budget crisis. He said he’ll miss working in the upcoming legislative session.
“As someone that’s had a history in finance and economics — and oil and gas in the state — you know, it’s probably been since the early ’70s that we’ve had the kind of issues that have to be tackled that we do now,” Richards said. “So, not being a part of that is going to be, you know, a disappointment but on the other hand, I’m also excited to move on to the next thing.”
Richards said his new job won’t conflict with the state law that bars former state officers from working for two years on matters that they participated in personally and substantially.
He said his new duties will be very different than his old job.
He’ll report to Corporation President and CEO Gail Schubert, provide counsel on legal matters, ensure legal compliance and oversee risk management.
Andrew Kitchenman is the state government and politics reporter for Alaska Public Media and KTOO in Juneau. Reach him at akitchenman@alaskapublic.org.
