Kate Klonick July 23, 2008, 4:27 PM

The cookie continues to crumble for Alaska State Sen. John Cowdery (R), who was indicted on two federal charges of bribery and conspiracy earlier this month.

Cowdery, who is set to be arraigned on August 11, stepped down from his post as chairman of the Legislative Council on Monday.

From the Anchorage Daily News:

Calls for him to resign rang out shortly after the indictment was made public, specifically from Republican Minority Leader Gene Therriault and [Gov. Sarah] Palin.

Therriault, who leads a five-person minority caucus that does not include Cowdery, has long called for Cowdery’s resignation since former Veco executives said during the trials of other lawmakers that Cowdery was part of their inner circle.

Cowdery has not resigned, even though frequent health problems have kept him away from Juneau.

Cowdery told [Senate President Lyda] Green in a letter that he was not well enough to continue with his responsibilities as the council chairman.

“The day-to-day operations of the committee and its oversight is a time intensive job that demands the full attention of the chairman to work smoothly and efficiently,” Cowdery wrote to Green on Monday. “Due to my continuing health issues I feel I cannot fulfill the duties required of me to fully accomplish the goals of the Legislative Council.”

Alaska, John Cowdery