Senator Charged With Lying About Gifts

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

(CBS/AP)  Stevens for years wielded power from his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee from 1997 to 2005, except for 18 months when Democrats controlled the Senate. His longevity also means that if Republicans took over the Senate, he would be president pro tempore, a mostly symbolic title but one that would make him third in line for the presidency after the vice president and speaker of the House.

On Capitol Hill, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., called Stevens a hero, adding, however, he didn't know any details about the indictment. "All of us have time that we have to deal with that are tough," Warner said. "I wish him the best."

"I've known Ted Stevens for 28 years and have always known him to be impeccably honest,' said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., another longtime colleague.

Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said, "I have served with Sen. Stevens my entire congressional career. It's a sad day for him, us, but you know I believe in the American system of justice and he's presumed innocent."

Young, who is under scrutiny for his fundraising practices involving VECO, said Tuesday, "I hope people will not rush to judgment and will let the judicial process work. The process is based on being innocent until proven guilty."

He called Stevens "one of the most effective and honest legislators I have ever worked with."

On the political front, it's one more piece of very bad news for the Republican Party said CBS News.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "This indictment stems from a long-running scandal that has really eroded the Republican brand in a state that has been a lock for them for decades at the federal level," Ververs said. "Stevens was already considered a vulnerable incumbent facing re-election this November by most political analysts and this won’t help improve those chances. Combine the scandal with Barack Obama's interest in putting the state in play and Alaska could find itself a real battleground this fall."

Stevens has coasted to re-election six times in Alaska, but was in what was viewed as the toughest race of his career this year against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begicha.

A moderate Republican, Stevens has served almost 40 years in the Senate, where he unabashedly steered money to toward his remote and sparsely populated home state. He often drew criticism, however, for going around the traditional appropriations process to fund his pet projects.

The Justice Department has closely followed that money, looking for where it intersects with the senator's son, Ben.

A lobbyist and former state senator, Ben Stevens was paid as a consultant for many in the fishing industry who benefited from legislation his father drafted. When Ted Stevens created a $30 million marketing fund for Alaska seafood, Ben Stevens helped decide which companies got the money. Some were his clients.

Ben Stevens also had financial ties to a company that stood to make millions off a piece of federal legislation his father wrote. But he repeatedly has said he never lobbied his father and both men have dismissed such criticism for years.

In other cases involving indictments of senators:

• On April 2, 1993, Republican Sen. David Durenburger of Minnesota was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington on charges of conspiring to file fraudulent claims for Senate reimbursement of $3,825 in lodging expenses during 1987 and 1988. The indictment was later dismissed. After new charges were filed, Durenberger pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of converting public funds to his personal use. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.



• Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas was indicted by a state grand jury on Sept. 27, 1993, in Austin, Texas. She was charged with official misconduct and tampering with evidence to impede an investigation. On Feb. 11, 1994, a judge ordered her acquittal after the district attorney refused to present his case.

[slim1h2o]

That should be Pickins in the post below, and not ickins

[slim1h2o]

We have to figure a new way to fuel this country without the drilling off shore, and if we put all the republican trash in a dump we will have to figure out a new way to dump our trash

Posted by starleo14672 at 12:49 PM : Jul 30, 2008

Well they would create a great deal of methane that way. Not to mention the hot air they expel.

But on a serious note, You are right on the fact that we do have to find more and better ways of fueling this country. I think ickins is right too, in giving his full support to wind power. But I wonder why he doesn''t feel as strong toward solar power? Seems like the 2 could be used in tandem to better power our country. The days when the wind is not blowing hard enough, solar could take over. And of course, at night, the wind power could take over. And if the unthinkable happens(and it will) when neither is working, the power that is generated during the day, when most people aren''t home, a battery system would take over for the other two sources.

Makes sense to me.

[starleo146]

Greed, and corruption knows no limits in D.C. these days. I am glad that they are finally catching these guys, and about time too.

Lets start to take out the trash, including the one in the Whitehouse.

Posted by slim1h2o at 11:56 AM : Jul 30, 2008


We have to figure a new way to fuel this country without the drilling off shore, and if we put all the republican trash in a dump we will have to figure out a new way to dump our trash

[starleo146]

Don''''t worry, this Congress will be the death of all of us. If they have their way.

Posted by slim1h2o at 11:59 AM : Jul 30, 2008


I am gasping for breath now not much left

[starleo146]

WILL THE CORRUPT DEMONIC-RATS LET THE ILLEGALS VOTE THIS NOVEMBER AGAIN???

Posted by terrorislamv at 11:55 AM : Jul 30, 2008
+ rep

will the republicans tamper with the vote you mean like the last two elections

[slim1h2o]

STANDARDS alright give me liberty or give me death.

Posted by starleo14672 at 11:42 AM : Jul 30, 2008

Don''t worry, this Congress will be the death of all of us. If they have their way.

[slim1h2o]

Greed, and corruption knows no limits in D.C. these days. I am glad that they are finally catching these guys, and about time too.

Lets start to take out the trash, including the one in the Whitehouse.

[starleo146]

Ted Stevens this time
who will it be next time?
the next thief the neocon zombies vote in?
I just love watching that video of bush trying to explain how many times you can be fooled.

Posted by ainttaken at 09:59 AM : Jul 30, 200

I agree and did you know they were so afraid of this man''s temper and what he might do when he gets mad, also he had a hog tie he wore and they knew to stay away from him. This is so republipig isn''t it

[starleo146]

ou know, at least republicans have a standard that they try and live up to.

Posted by bigwhtpony at 10:31 AM : Jul 30, 2008

Yea, and they live up to them, Lobbyist deals, tap dancing in bathrooms, corruptness, adultery, page pedophile, I could go on and on , but the main one is obstructionism in Congress, blocking anything that could help this country yea STANDARDS alright give me liberty or give me death.

[meanbiker]

I don''t care what party your from.. Politicians need to be held accountable.. If they break the laws they need to be kicked out of office, loose all benefits and go to prison.. These are the people running our country.. They are not above the law.. in fact they should have to follow the laws more then Joe Blow off the street.. This should not be a party issue.. This should be an AMERICAN ISSUE..

[antoniof123]

The Russian maffia?

Posted by joker1944 at 10:45 AM : Jul 30, 2008

That is the Italian maffia they are the ones who gave the Republicans their standards.

[mcdonaj3]

For those inclined to cheat, lack of oversight contributes to these abuses. Earmarks are at the center of this since members of Congress know they can direct contracts to favored constituencies. Earmarks must be ended. So what are you going to do about it, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi?

[joker1944-2009]

You know, at least republicans have a standard that they try and live up to.

Posted by bigwhtpony at 10:31 AM : Jul 30, 2008

HAHAHAHAHA! Oh, man - that is RICH. The party of fears, smears and corruption in the extreme now has ''standards?'' Where did they get them from. The Russian maffia?

[joker1944-2009]

If he were a Republican, you would actually read about it.

Posted by payasyougo at 10:09 AM : Jul 30, 2008

Oh, you poor babies! The big bad ''librul'' media is just SO unfair to you poor Republicans. However can you stand it?

Please, who are you trying to kid? It was all over the news - we all know about it. Suck it up and admit one of your own is a filthy, corrupt crook - instead of whining about the media like spoiled brats.

[bigwhtpony]

from the party of family values and personal responsibility Posted by ainttaken at 10:03 AM : Jul 30, 2008

You know, at least republicans have a standard that they try and live up to. True, some fail....but they are routed out and castigated amoung their peers.

Unlike democrats, who have NO standards and rally around their criminals in an effort to shield them. Let''s see, which would I rather affiliate myself with?

[bigwhtpony]

But he''''ll become a lobbist with Dickey Cheney and rake it in on the next war.
Posted by labombaOH at 10:15 AM : Jul 30, 2008

Great idea.....kinda like slick willie does with a saudis, right? How much has clintax made badmouthing his country over in the middle east? $20 million???

[bigwhtpony]

There''s just no excuse for this sort of thing. If the guy has been up there as long as they say, then he should have known better.

Time to clean house.

[shazam112]

you are really so so funny ainttaken...good for you

[payasyougo]

The FBI raided the offices of Congressman William Jefferson. Investigators say they found the evidence they need in the bribery allegations against the New Orleans area Representative... some $90,000 in cold hard cash, found in a freezer in Jefferson''s office-- wrapped in foil, in tupperware containers. Investigators believe the money is part of the payments from an alleged bribery scheme that they say Jefferson is a part of. Two people have already pleaded guilty to being in on a scheme to bribe the congressman. Investigators allege the bribery involved Jefferson helping certain entities to get contracts for providing internet services to two African nations.

Meanwhile, Jefferson commented on the raid that was carried out, saying it was well over the line for the FBI to search the offices of a U.S. congressman. Jefferson said, "I think it represents an outrageous intrusion in the separation of powers between the executive branch and the congressional branch, and no one has seen this in all the time of the life of Congress." Investigators say the FBI videotaped Jefferson outside a suburban Washington hotel last summer accepting a 100 thousand dollar bribe from an informant. They believe the 90 thousand dollars found in the freezer in Jefferson''s house is some of that money. The congressman maintains that he has done nothing wrong. And that the truth will come out at the proper time.
---
If he were a Republican, you would actually read about it.

[joker1944-2009]

C''mon Senator Stevens - fight the power! You can beat these charges. Sure, it looks bad. (You ''traded'' a old car and some cash for a brand new Land Rover, just for starters.) But I''m confident a long, drawn out fight against a federal prosecutor (who was appointed by Bush BTW) is JUST what the GOP needs this fall.

You GOPers are screwed. This crazy old nut is not going to resign. He''ll probably still run for re-election.

Let''s hope the fine folk of Alaksa have finally had their fill of corrupt Republicans.