Sen. Ted Stevens: FBI Crossed The Line

Alaska Republican Says FBI Violated Constitution, Says Corruption Case Should Be Nixed

(CBS/AP)  Sen. Ted Stevens accused the Justice Department on Thursday of trampling on the independence of Congress, arguing in court documents that the corruption case against him should be thrown out.

The Alaska Republican is scheduled to go on trial next month on charges that he lied on Senate disclosure records about hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and services he received from a powerful oil services contractor, VECO Corp.

Stevens said the FBI intruded on his Senate affairs when it questioned members of his legislative staff. He cited the Constitution's speech-or-debate clause, which prohibits the executive branch from using its law enforcement authority to interfere with legislative business.

He also argued that it's up to the Senate, not the Justice Department, to enforce Senate rules about financial disclosure. If the Senate feels he violated its rules, it can punish him, he said.

The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens has been a political force in Alaska since before it became a state. He has been dogged by the corruption case and now faces a challenge in the Republican primary.

He asked for an unusually speedy trial that he hopes will clear his name in time for the November election.

VECO employees normally build oil drilling and processing equipment. But VECO workers led the renovation of the senator's home, a project that was overseen by company founder and longtime Stevens friend Bill Allen. Stevens says he paid every bill he received.

Prosecutors say he got hundreds of thousands of dollars in freebies and discounted work that Stevens should have disclosed.

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Read the indictment Of Sen. Ted Stevens

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Though prosecutors say he also performed official Senate actions that benefited VECO, they don't say what he did and they do not accuse him of bribery.

Stevens' attorneys argued Thursday that prosecutors were trying to insinuate bribery without actually charging it. They asked a judge not to let jurors see a paragraph in the indictment about those official actions.

"This language is blatantly inflammatory and prejudicial," attorneys wrote.

The Justice Department was due to file its own documents late Thursday.

[hwy71so]

""""A republican complaining about violations of his Constitutional rights? Savor the irony...

Posted by Divitius at 07:39 PM : Aug 14, 2008""""

From what I''ve seen, the Republicans are more faithful in defending the Constitution. The Looney Libs want to tear it down into a worthless piece of toilet paper.

[hwy71so]

The whole Senate and House are both corrupt! Out of over 500 congressmen, only a handful remain honorable and loyal to their posts. The rest are in it for self.

I think the FBI needs to go in there, kick some backside and take some names!!!!!!!

[allurfears]

Bush''s fixer (Attorney General Mukasey) will now step in. He said a couple days ago that "breaking the law is not necessarily a crime." No doubt he will want to stop prosecution of another corrupt Republican.

The new Republican slogan: "Party above the Law"

[zerato-2009]

Stevens say he should not be tried because the justice department does not have jurisdiction over senate graft and corruption. Funny. I guess in his own mind he did not do anything wrong

[wellhell3]

Since when did breaking the law come under the jurisdication of the Senate? Velly, velly strange.

[patriot12436]

He sounds guilty, and i expect a politician to be guilty, but i also want to hear the facts before deciding if he is or not.

[mr2258]

Stevens is innocent.

[divitius]

A republican complaining about violations of his Constitutional rights? Savor the irony...

[starleo146]

Stevens needs to jump off his Bridge to Nowhere.

Posted by ragnar30066 at 04:47 PM : Aug 14, 2008
+ repor

Oh Man That was a good one.

[ragnar30066]

Stevens needs to jump off his Bridge to Nowhere.