Senator Charged With Lying About Gifts

Alaska Republican Ted Stevens Faces Seven-Count Indictment For Alleged False Statements About Home Renovations

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and a figure in Alaska politics since before statehood, was indicted Tuesday on seven counts of failing to disclose thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.

Stevens, the first sitting U.S. senator to face federal indictment since 1993, has been dogged by a federal investigation into his home renovation project and whether he pushed for fishing legislation that also benefited his son, an Alaska lobbyist.

The investigation has upended Alaska state politics and cast scrutiny on Stevens - who is running for re-election this year - and on his congressional colleague, Rep. Don Young of Alaska, who is also under investigation.

CBS News reports all seven false statement counts relate to the statements he made on financial disclosure forms from 1999 to the 2006 form. The indictment says Stevens "knowingly and intentionally sought to conceal and cover up his receipt of things of value by filing Financial Disclosure Forms that contained false statements and omissions."

---

Indictment Of Sen. Ted Stevens

---

From May 1999 to August 2007, prosecutors said, the 84-year-old senator concealed "his continuing receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of things of value from a private corporation."

The indictment unsealed Tuesday says the items included: home improvements to his vacation home in Alaska, including a new first floor, garage, wraparound deck, plumbing, electrical wiring; as well as a Viking gas grill, furniture and tools. He also was accused of failing to report swapping an old Ford for a new Land Rover to be driven by one of his children.

Prosecutors said Stevens received more than $250,000 in gifts and services from VECO Corp., a powerful oil services contractor, and its executives.

The former CEO of VECO, Bill Allen, cooperated in the case against Stevens.

Stevens has been the subject of a wide-ranging investigation -- and with this announcement -- Stevens becomes the highest level politician charged in the department's crackdown on alleged corruption, CBS News reports.

Prosecutors said Stevens "took multiple steps to continue" receiving things from oil services company VECO Corp., and its founder, Bill Allen. At the time, the indictment says, Allen and other VECO employees were soliciting Stevens for "multiple official actions .... knowing that Stevens could and did use his official position and his office on behalf of VECO during that same time period."

VECO's requests included funding and other aid for the oil services company's projects and partnerships in Pakistan and Russia. It also included federal grants from several agencies - as well as help in building a national gas pipeline in Alaska's North Slope Region, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Washington.

Justice Department said Stevens will not be arrested and will be allowed to turn himself in.

"Once again and for what seems like the hundredth time it's not necessarily the crime it's the cover-up. The indictment apparently alleges that Stevens made false statements to federal investigators, the same sorts of charges that brought down people like Martha Stewart and Lewis Scooter Libby," CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen said.

"As a purely legal matter, Stevens may continue to serve in the Senate even while he defends himself against the charges," Cohen adds. "But these types of false statement trials take up an extraordinary amount of time and energy, not to mention money, and it's hard to see how he play both roles, Senator and Defendant, successfully."

However, under Senate rules, Tuesday's indictment will require Stevens to give up his post as senior Republican on the Appropriations Committee.

Stevens responded to the charges in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.

"I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years," he said. "My public service, began when I served in World War II. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a US Senator. In accordance with Senate Republican Conference rules, I have temporarily relinquished by vice chairmanship and ranking positions until I am absolved of these charges. The impact of these charges on my family disturbs me greatly. I am innocent of these charges and I intend to prove that."

[mandalay-bay]

a Republican being currupt??

NO WAY!!! THATS THE SURPRISE OF THE CENTURY!!!

[haoli25]

It''s about time they caught that old snake!

[aj4321-2009]

Next senator to be arrested: John McCain.

[hawksprings]

Notice again the subtleties of Liberal Media Bias.
When it''s a ''corrupt'' Republican, the party affiliation is mentioned in the tag line and the first sentence.

When it''s a corrupt Democrat, like Spitzer, it might not be mentioned that he''s a Democrat until the next to last paragraph, if at all.

[redbds]

a Republican being currupt??

NO WAY!!! THATS THE SURPRISE OF THE CENTURY!!!

Posted by MANDALAY-BAY at 01:10 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Watch out Pelosi is next! Of course if it was a Democrat then that would be the administration trying to get the dems.

[jn1492]

Repubs are gonna take a hard one up the butt this election!

[nanc12]

It just keeps getting better and better for the repubs, doesn''t it? lol.

[aeasus]

It''s time for the influences of oil to end in this country. Tell your congressperson we need more choices then just more oil!!!

[leftyintexes]

I did tell them, but they insist on trying to put the auto industry out of business instead.

[terrapin78]

I like at the top it says in the ad above the headline banner:

PRESENTED BY EXXONMOBILE.

[cold777]

Another Senate seat falls to the Dems....

[medianity]

Anyone notice the above company that presented the article?

[nextgenman]

Posted by terrorislamv at 01:20 PM : Jul 29, 2008
--------------

Irrelevant spam.

[jackp32]

It''s about time this crook will have to face the bar of justice. He is one of the most corrupt Senators in history.

[nextgenman]

Let me guess, Stevens is a Republican.

[nothappyatall]

"Alaska Republican Faces Seven Count Indictment For False Statements In Federal Corruption Probe"

*REPUBICON* indicted... AGAIN, yawn so what else is new? another Larry ''wide stance'' craig?

[irliberal]

And... the arrest, prosecution and judgment of the republican party begins.

About time!

[richnj1]

Next senator to be arrested: John McCain.
Posted by aj4321
----

Remember, McCain was one of the so-called "Keating Five." McCain may well get Swift-boated on this issue. I''m just waiting for TV commercials to come from "Savings and Loan Depositors for Truth" :-)

Anyway, this story makes it very hard for the GOP to attack Obama over offshore drilling. Do we trust the oil industry? NOPE. If McCain pushes the issue, the public will be wondering whether McCain''s ties to the oil industry are like Stevens''.

McCain''s bad luck is almost comical. The ethical black mark on his record was the S&L crisis, and now we have a banking crisis. He is vocal about oil, and now we have an indictment due to corrupt oil. And he is a war "hero" running during an incredibly unpopular war. Trifecta!

[irliberal]

If it makes you feel better to believe that. What''''s the matter, it took you ''''cons a whole five posts before you started whining about how you poor ol'''' Repubs are just being picked on.


Posted by rafterman1 at 01:21 PM

They sure cry a lot don''t they?

[wadyaknow]

This makes him the perfect VP pick for McCain!

[leftyintexes]

All Republicans should be given a one way ticket out of the country.

Posted by masterballs2 at 01:18 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Are there even any Repubs living with you there in Cuba?

[mcsuicide247]

all republicans should be jailed!!

[leftyintexes]

Let me guess, Stevens is a Republican.

Posted by nextGenMan at 01:23 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Let me guess, you didn''t even make it to the first sentence in the story?

bwahahahahaha!!!!

[jamjholmes]

Almost all of our politicians are sellouts. Very few get busted.

[zoopie2]

haoli25, the problem with your post is that the Congress did not bring the indictment, the republican Justice Dept. did. Just accept the fact that the republicans are the proverbial wolves in the hen house. Go back to sticking your head in the sand or watching Fox News, which is the same thing.

[leftyintexes]

"Alaska Republican Faces Seven Count Indictment For False Statements In Federal Corruption Probe"

Posted by newster1 at 01:24 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Man, didn''t these guys learn anything from Bill Clownton?

[lemonskink]

Par for the course for the most corrupt group of Republicans to ever hold an office. Big news today too, Richard Perle has been exposed once again. The architect of Bush''s oil war is starting an oil business in Iraq. You can be sure Bush will have a hand in this at some point too. I can''t believe America has stood for this without acting. US soldiers and citizens were killed so they might succeed in profitizing. Unbelievable.

[johnstossel]

A corrupt politician?!?! Never happen!!!!

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by leftyintexes at 01:28 PM

Let me guess, that lefty in your name stands for that left hand slapping you silly.

[leftyintexes]

all republicans should be jailed!!

Posted by McSuicide247 at 01:27 PM : Jul 29, 2008

All liberals should be...oh wait they''re all going to hell anyway...nm

[terrapin78]

Maybe Stevens will use that system of tubes, you know, it''s called the internet!

[ricinboerne]

I don''t really care if he''s Democrat, Republican, or whatever, this guy has been pillaging the US Treasury for many many years! I hope he is made an example of.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-05-17-alaska-edit_x.htm

[libh8er]

Good! Republicans need to take advantage of the ''throw the bums out'' climate and CLEAN HOUSE! The American people need to take Washington back!

We didn''t send these a-holes up their to make themselves rich......they work for US!

[mcsuicide247]

how much money has he given to the mccain campaign?

[leftyintexes]

Let me guess, that lefty in your name stands for that left hand slapping you silly.

Posted by rudy654 at 01:30 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Nah, it''s the hand I use to shake hands with Dems. It''s also, coincidentally, the hand I use to wipe my...

[irliberal]

Posted by demslie2u at 01:27 PM

demslie2u - the expert of cut and paste spam. And he thinks people take him seriously - LOL!

[nextgenman]

Let me guess, Stevens is a Republican.

Posted by nextGenMan at 01:23 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Let me guess, you didn''''t even make it to the first sentence in the story?

bwahahahahaha!!!!

Posted by leftyintexes at 01:28 PM : Jul 29, 2008
---------------

Didn''t have to. I upset you enough to respond so I win.

Bwahahahahaha!!! Have a nice day! :^)

[terrapin78]

all republicans should be jailed!!

Posted by McSuicide247 at 01:27 PM : Jul 29, 2008

All liberals should be...oh wait they''''re all going to hell anyway...nm

Posted by leftyintexes at 01:30 PM : Jul 29, 2008


Not me, I don''t believe in your version of he||.

I am Jewish!

[usclimey]

If the news left off the party affiliation of all corrupt politicians you''d just have to guess republican and you''d be right 99 times out of 100.

I see demslie(2u) is back again spouting the same old garbage. Doesn''t it wear on your tiny little mind to have to come with new lies all the time? Note: agents did not find $90,000 in Jefferson''s office - they found it in his freezer!! See you can''t even get an insult right.

[zoopie2]

Remember this is the same guy that refused to place the oil executives under oath when they testified on capitol hill. Go figure.

[libh8er]

Try and find a story about Congressman William Jefferson. The Democrat controlled News media never mentioned the Indictment of Jefferson. Posted by demslie2u at 01:31 PM : Jul 29, 2008

Jefferson has been dragging since ''05. Watch how fast things go down for Alaska boy.

[tawpdawg111]

Isn''t there one single honorable republican in Washington? ONE?

[nextgenman]

Posted by IRLiberal at 01:32 PM : Jul 29, 2008
----------

Give the little repubbies a Break. Of course they''re bitter, everything they stand for has turned to dismal failure.

[irliberal]

Nah, it''''s the hand I use to shake hands with Dems. It''''s also, coincidentally, the hand I use to wipe my...

Posted by leftyintexes at 01:32 P

You wipe your hand with your... well... you know?

Gosh. That explains a lot.

Learn personal hygiene then get back to us, k? Thanks!

[libh8er]

up their to make themselves rich......

there, not their....sorry

[zoopie2]

Media bias...media bias. Don''t like the facts..just blame the messenger. Pathetic.

I smell a Bush pardon coming.

[leftyintexes]

Didn''''t have to. I upset you enough to respond so I win.

Bwahahahahaha!!! Have a nice day! :^)

Posted by nextGenMan at 01:32 PM : Jul 29, 2008

That''s a sad purpose in life.

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahhaahah










ha!!!!

[irliberal]

Give the little repubbies a Break. Of course they''''re bitter, everything they stand for has turned to dismal failure.

Posted by nextGenMan at 01:33 PM

Absolutely not. Every failure, every fraud, every bit of corruption should be exposed and prosecuted. This might tie up our court system for a while, but justice will be done.

[missingamerica]

"Authorities have also scrutinized his ties to a corrupt oil contractor..."

You notice oil seems to stick to an awful lot of Republicans?

[imprisonkarl]

Is HE still alive? I thought he was dead.