Ted Stevens Guilty In Corruption Case

Alaska GOP Lawmaker Not Dropping Out Of Senate Race Despite Conviction On 7 Counts Related To Lying About Gifts

(CBS/AP)  Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that threatened to end the 40-year career of Alaska's political patriarch in disgrace.

The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, increased Stevens' difficulty in winning what already was a difficult race against Democratic challenger Mark Begich. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Stevens says he's not dropping out of his Senate race despite being convicted. He accused the Justice Department of unconscionable behavior in his prosecution and asked Alaskans and Senate colleagues to stand by him as he appeals the conviction. In a statement released by his Senate office, Stevens asserted his innocence and said he would appeal.

Stevens, 84, was convicted of all the felony charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating last week.

Visibly shaken after the verdicts were read - the jury foreman declaring "guilty" seven times - Stevens tried to intertwine his fingers but quickly put his hands down to his side after noticing they were trembling. As he left the courtroom, Stevens got a quick kiss on the cheek from his wife, Catherine, who testified on his behalf during the trial. He declined to talk to reporters waiting outside.

Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced, but under federal guidelines he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any. The judge originally scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26 but then changed his mind and did not immediately set a date.

"If he does get a prison sentence, it almost certainly won’t be a very long one and it wouldn’t surprise me, given his age and record in Congress, if he were given less than what Martha Stewart got when she lied to authorities," said CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "She got six months in prison and six months house arrest. I would be shocked if Stevens gets close to that."

The month-long trial revealed that employees for VECO Corp., an oil services company, transformed Stevens' modest mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, a sauna and a wine cellar.

The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and believed that covered everything.

He had asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he'd be exonerated in time to return to Alaska and win re-election.

"Coming just eight days before the election, this is big blow for Stevens’ hopes of winning re-election," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "And it’s one more piece of really bad news for a Republican Party on the ropes in this campaign year as Democratic hopes for a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate just got a big boost."

Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel him on a two-thirds vote.

"Put this down: That will never happen - ever, OK?" Stevens said in the weeks leading up to his trial. "I am not stepping down. I'm going to run through, and I'm going to win this election."

Democrats have invested heavily in the race, running television advertisements starring fictional FBI agents and featuring excerpts from wiretaps.

Stevens' conviction hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator's longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a special deal.

Prosecutors played secret phone recordings in which the 84-year-old senator suggested Allen lay low, per his lawyer's advice, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

"They point out that, what's her name, that woman, uh, who went to jail - Martha Stewart - she didn't go to jail because she did something wrong, she went to jail because she lied about a conversation she had with somebody," Stevens was heard saying in the tape.

Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.

Living in Washington, thousands of miles away, made it impossible to monitor the project every day, he said. Stevens relied on Allen to oversee the renovations, he said, and his friend deceived him by not forwarding all the bills.

Prosecutors used a barrage of witnesses to question how Stevens could have been in the dark about VECO's work on the project. VECO employees testified to seeing Stevens at the house. One left him a company business card. Stevens sent thank you notes to others.

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View Justice Department documents in the Ted Stevens corruption trial

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Stevens' conviction is the highlight of a lengthy FBI investigation into Alaska corruption, but prosecutors noted that it is not the end. Stevens' longtime Republican colleague, Rep. Don Young, remains under investigation for his ties to VECO. Stevens' son, Ben, a former Alaska lawmaker, is also under investigation.

Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.

There was no immediate word on Stevens' campaign plans. His spokesman, Aaron Saunders, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on whether Stevens would stay in the race.

In Alaska, the Democratic Party issued a statement calling for Stevens to resign immediately. "He knew what he was doing was wrong," the party said. "But he did it anyway and lied to Alaskans about it."

GOP Vice Presidential Candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, chided Stevens for falling prey to the "corrupting influence" of big oil.

"The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company up there in Alaska that was allowed to control too much of our state," Palin said Monday in a statement. "And that control was part of the culture of corruption that I was elected to fight. And that fight must always move forward regardless of party affiliation or seniority or even past service."

Stevens is the sixth senator convicted of criminal charges. The last previous one was Republican David Durenberger of Minnesota, who was indicted in 1993 on charges of conspiring to make fraudulent claims for Senate reimbursement of $3,825 in lodging expenses. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.

The jurors left the court without comment.

Said U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan: "The jurors have unanimously told me that no one has any desire to speak to any member of the media. They have asked to go home and they are en route home."

The jurors had been shuttled to and from the proceedings each day by court officials.

[timothyone-2009]

If only the average poor, deprived, emotionally disturbed drug addict could get trials with 10% of the help and fairness of a Steven''s trial.

[questionnews]

Gotta give it to the prosecution, they are doing everything in their power to get their client off.
The guy didn''t even need to hire a defense attorney.

[obamaslady]

Sad thing is that this politician is such a nasty liar and so corrupt. Just because he doesn''t "like" a gift, he considers it ''not a gift'' and then repackages it and gives it to someone else, so then it is not a gift. Solid reasoning wouldn''t you say? What a nice guy!

Who would ever want him representing them in the Senate? Not me! Vote him DEFUNCT, OUT OF SERVICE!

[palin08o8]

Ha! HA! HA! Ha! HA! You poor republicans, Sarah Palin has sold her skins for some TV time.

www.chilitoz.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has signed a deal with PlayBoy Magazine to posed partially exposed in a future release of the famous nudity magazine in exchange, Heffner will run a multi-million dollar anti Obama add a day before the election.

[obamaslady]

Thank God, the jury found Stevens GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS! Guess he can kiss his Senate seat good bye! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! It''s about time this old coot got what he deserved!!! Yeah!!!

[jon_mccain]

Another one bites the dust!!

[macusweil]

Another day, another corrupt Republican.

I''m sure there must be a Democrat to blame for this some how? Right?? Obmama, that liberal creep made Ted so crazy he did know he was lying.

Ol'' Ted just like ''you betcha'' Sarah P got freebie home construction by cutting sweat deals for contractors and big business. That''s how these people believe government works.

[repforbarack]

Move along...nothing to see here folks...just another convicted felon republican

[windmaster12]

The RepugnantCons prove once again
Why they need to be thrown out of office
Lets hope Palin gets caught in her BS

Out with the RED COMMIES(GOP)
Who Nationalized the banks
Just like Chavez

Vote anyone but Repukelicon!!!!

[heero78-2009]

They gonna give him 3 years probation to be served after his death.

[hennighg]

I am shocked! Shocked! This must be a miscarriage of justice. Republicans don''t do that sort of thing! They aren''t gay, they aren''t page-crazy, they aren''t crooks, they aren''t anything at all. Shocked! I say. Shocked!

[jennings501]

Corruption First!

[lmartink]

Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski was actually more corrupt than Stevens.

Doesn''t say much for integrity and honesty in Alaskan politicians.

Hang''em high!
Eastwood.

[redbds]

Who says there is never any good news on the CBS website. I am a conservative and I say throw his azz in prison and throw away the key. Then we can move on to Reid and Franks. Anyone else who is proven to be corrupt can share the same cell.

[jaxspp]

Love it - this will be the lead story tonight, then they immediately go to McCain campaigning

[DCropp]

Here''s comes House Gate for Governor Palin.

Wasilla Ice Arena built by the same people Steven''s involved in. Palin''s house built near the Wasilla Ice Arena at the same time using undisclosed contractors.

[yeswecan09]

I am glad he was found guilty but lets not paint John McCain guilty-by-association.

Obama for POTUS!

[chetthor]

One down... do you suppose there is another jury in Alaska that will take a look at Gov Palins $500,000 house and who paid for it?

What about trooper gate.

Can anyone remember VP Agnew?

[tscc2]

Another Palin loyalist who wouldn''t know the truth if it hit them in the face.

[cutetinia]

Hey look over there - Democrats associate with known terrorists.
Quick! Gimme gimme gimme.

[donevis-2009]

am glad he was found guilty but lets not paint John McCain guilty-by-association.

Posted by yeswecan09 at 04:22 PM : Oct 27, 2008

Naw we won''t blame Cain, we''ll point at Palin that was up there with him and riding the corrupt trail to Washington.

[bobnjersey]

[If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel Stevens on a two-thirds vote. ]

no rules barring felons from serving in congress? are there any rules defining boundries for our representatives? do the rules that apply to everyone else apply to those who have been given these very special and important positions?

can a company ... any company ... deny someone a position because of their felony record?

[heartlandjim]

You know what this means!! Palin pals around with felons!!!

[bpai99]

Stevens won''t spend a day in jail. This verdict will be overturned on appeal, or Bush will pardon him. As the saying goes, laws are like cobwebs - strong enough to restrain the weak but too weak to restrain the strong.

[midvale3]

84.....84 years old in Congress since 1968. I think 40 years is long enough. The corruption charge isn''t surprising since he is a politician but there should be a term and age limit.

[airboatboy1]

I hope Stevens being Republican won''t hurt McCain''s chance..... oh, never mind. At this point it really doesn''t matter, doe''s it!

[madmacrcm]

Lets see ..Stevens gets convicted..goes home on probation...Sarah appoints herself to the vacant US Senate seat...What a launching pad for 2012

[aldon61]

Senator Stevens has been one of the most corrupt politicians in recent memory. His arrogance and his backers have threatened others to a point that I didn''t believe he would ever be brought up, yet alone be convicted of corruption. Good for the DOJ, and good for the jurors. Now, the next phase should be interesting; I''ll predict he''ll not spend ONE SINGLE DAY behind bars, any takers?

[mytoosense]

This is a conspiracy to blemish the righteous work of the moral backbone of America, the GOP.

If we allow the Godless Democrats to diminish our message by peeking into the privacy of our Closets, Computers and John-Stalls for the purpose of diminishing our righteousness, than America will succumb to being led by humanistic social program supporters!!!

just kidding...

[freckster]

"...he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress"

Wonders never cease

[mackarat]

This is just another example of how democrats just don''t get it. Ted Stevens has tried for years to explain to democrats how trickle down economics works. Unfortunately he could not find small enough words to get into their pea brains. Therefore in furtherance of his great service to the country he chose to lead by example. His example is, get elected a U.S. senator, have a friend that owns a contracting firm, have him give you free goods and services, Voila, the trickle down. Net result, you own a greatly improved house and no money out of your pocket. If the lazy people, mostly democrats, facing foreclosure would just follow Ted''s example and let the benefits "trickle down" to them we would not be having a collapse of the banking system.

[inventagod2]

Next....

Bu$h & Cheney

[bpai99]

Stevens won''''t spend a day in jail. This verdict will be overturned on appeal, or Bush will pardon him. Stevens'' arrogance and sense of entitlement is such that he never for a moment believed he''d be held accountable for his crimes, which is understandable since he''s been getting away with them for decades. As the saying goes, laws are like cobwebs - strong enough to restrain the weak but too weak to restrain the strong. P.S. Why isn''t there a law that convicted felons cannot serve in Congress? Oh, right - there wouldn''t be enough people left to keep the lights on. Pigs gorging at the public trough - they are all despicable.

[marshmy]

Posted by DcratLosers at 04:15 PM : Oct 27, 2008

Meanwhile, d-crat William Jefferson of Louisiana, who was caught nearly a year ago by the FBI with $95,000 in brides in his freezer(!), remains free.

OMG - is he going to be charged with Bigamy on Ice??

[aldon61]

Next....

Bu$h & Cheney


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Posted by inventagod2 at 04:31 PM : Oct 27, 2008

That would be nice, but won''t happen in our lifetime.

[mytoosense]

Now, Now.
What Stevens did is not and example of Corruption.
It is an example of Fat-Cat Republican Capitalism!

What!! Are you communist or something!!!!!!

[redhawk1021]

HAHAHA! Another CORRUPT GOP SOB bites the dust. What could be better less than a week until election day?

[o_the_potus]

...and 10 hours in jail would be a life sentence for this crusty old geezer.

[mackarat]

This is just another example of how democrats just don''t get it. Ted Stevens has tried for years to explain to democrats how trickle down economics works. Unfortunately he could not find small enough words to get into their pea brains. Therefore in furtherance of his great service to the country he chose to lead by example. His example is, get elected a U.S. senator, have a friend that owns a contracting firm, have him give you free goods and services, Voila, the trickle down. Net result, you own a greatly improved house and no money out of your pocket. If the lazy people, mostly democrats, facing foreclosure would just follow Ted''s example and let the benefits "trickle down" to them we would not be having a collapse of the banking system.

[xyno-2009]

Good.

Now let''s go after Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd for the Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac debacle that has led to the financial crisis that we''re in currently.

[o_the_potus]

"My testimony is that Ted is a really great guy and I can''t imagine him ever going afoul of the law..."

GUILTY!

What does that say about the slime ball Republicans that you suspect are crooks?

[brianp55]

Of course he''s guilty. Now send his butt to jail.

[kimb54]

Wasn%u2019t Stevens some sort of a MAVERIK or something in Alaska? I thought Sarah learned the ropes from him, RE: building her house, paid to stay, free trips for the kids, free rooms for the kids and Guilty of ethics violation for troopergate. Soon another guilty verdict on the same charge! The *** doesn%u2019t fall far from the tree.

[o_the_potus]

One word: supermajority.

[aldon61]

Meanwhile, d-crat William Jefferson of Louisiana, who was caught nearly a year ago by the FBI with $95,000 in brides in his freezer(!), remains free.

OMG - is he going to be charged with Bigamy on Ice??


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Posted by marshmy at 04:34 PM : Oct 27, 2008

You know, you have a point here; why can''t Jefferson be tried? I know that the feds searched his office, and got their hands slapped, but the money was at his house, and they have video of him accepting it. Corrupt politicians of both parties need to be filtered out of our congress. The american people deserve a much more honest and honorable congress than what we currently have.

[mackarat]

This is just another example of how democrats just don''t get it. Ted Stevens has tried for years to explain to democrats how trickle down economics works. Unfortunately he could not find small enough words to get into their pea brains. Therefore in furtherance of his great service to the country he chose to lead by example. His example is, get elected a U.S. senator, have a friend that owns a contracting firm, have him give you free goods and services, Voila, the trickle down. Net result, you own a greatly improved house and no money out of your pocket. If the lazy people, mostly democrats, facing foreclosure would just follow Ted''s example and let the benefits "trickle down" to them we would not be having a collapse of the banking system.

[brucie2006]

FINALLY, Stevens can lunch with some other indicted repiglicons Ney, Cunningham, Abramoff -

this seals McShame''s defeat!!

[tejasdemo]

Make him pay the money back.

Take his pension away

throw him in state prison and have C Span cover it daily.

I would wish ya good luck Senator but that would be a lie.

[cfrym]

convicted felons can''t vote; but can hold office?

[da152-2009]

Guilty!!!