WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2008
Prosecutors: Sen. Stevens Betrayed Public
Alaska Republican Charged With Concealing Gifts On Senate Financial Documents
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Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and his daughter Beth Stevens, arrive at the U.S. Distrit Court in Washington Thursday Sept. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Aka., arrives at federal court in Washington, Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, on the first day of his trial on corruption charges. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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During opening arguments, prosecutor Brenda Morris said the Alaska senator accepted free home renovations and other gifts. And she said he lied on Senate forms about those gifts, thumbing his nose at the public's right to know.
Stevens is the Senate's longest-serving Republican, having held his seat since 1968.
"You do not survive politics in this town for that long without being very, very smart, very, very deliberate, very forceful and, at the same time, knowing how to fly under the radar," Morris told jurors.
Observers packed the courtroom to watch the trial of one of the Senate's legendary figures, and court officials ushered others into an overflow courtroom, which was also nearly full.
The key to the case is a complicated 2000 home renovation project in which Stevens' small chalet outside Anchorage was jacked up on stilts and a new first-floor was built.
Rather than hiring a construction contractor, Stevens relied on his friend Bill Allen, the chairman of oil services firm VECO Corp., to manage the project.
Stevens says he paid every bill he received for the project. Morris rejected that argument. She said Stevens set up a deal so he wouldn't have to receive bills from VECO. She said he met with a company architect and got free labor from several employees.
"We reach for the yellow pages, he reached for VECO," Morris said, "and the defendant never paid a dime."
Just as Stevens relied on Allen for such favors, prosecutors say Allen tapped the senator for help winning government grants and navigating Washington's bureaucracy.
Stevens is not charged with accepting bribes, however. He is charged with concealing the gifts on Senate financial documents. He faces up to five years in prison on seven counts of making false statements.
He is also locked in a tough re-election battle for a Senate seat he's held for decades.
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- Betrayal-is that not why they run ?
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- Stevens, Palin and McSAME OLD crooks, the RepubliCON Greedy OLD Party never changes. McSAME OLD losers...
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- Dear Representative Jefferson, I know you are busy right now giving Wall St. Financial firms $700 billion dollars, but can you check my freezer to see if there is $100,000 for me just like in yours? Thanks for all you have done for our country and for Louisiana. XOXO
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- Dear Senator Stevens, I know you are busy giving Wall St. Financial firms $700 billion dollars, but maybe you might find time to ask an Oil Company to build me a modest home like they did for you? Thanks for all you have done for our Country and for Alaska. XOXO
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- It is a shame Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana is not a Republican. Then he would be news.
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- "You do not survive politics in this town for that long without being very, very smart, very, very deliberate, very forceful and, at the same time, knowing how to fly under the radar,"
Of course, McSame''s VICE-presidential candidate does not know this man... - Reply to this comment
- Hey. I do hope he gets re-elected, esp. if Palin wins. I am sure she would like to see a familiar face out there on the Senate floor every morning.
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