Prosecutors wind down case against Alaska Sen. Stevens
Originally published Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 12:58 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.
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Stumble It!WASHINGTON -- The wiretaps have been played, the cabin photos have been viewed and the last government witness against Sen. Ted Stevens has stepped down. Now prosecutors must persuade the judge not to abort the corruption trial and dismiss charges against the longest serving GOP senator.
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan sent the jury home Wednesday afternoon and began hearing the Alaska lawmaker's attorneys argue once again that the government intentionally withheld evidence favorable to their client — a transgression they think should lead to a mistrial or a dismissal of all charges.
Last week, the judge publicly berated prosecutors after they acknowledged not turning over some information to Stevens' lawyers, saying it was withheld accidentally. On Tuesday, the judge cautioned lawyers not to look far beyond the hearing on the dismissal motion.
"There may not be a defense case," Sullivan said before leaving the courtroom for the day.
If Sullivan allows the trial to continue, the defense says former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, would be among the first witnesses to testify.
Stevens, 84, is accused of lying on Senate forms to conceal more than $250,000 in renovations on his cabin and other gifts from Bill Allen, the former chief of a giant oil pipeline company, VECO Corp. Prosecutors called an FBI agent as their last witness Wednesday to introduce e-mails about the home improvements.
In e-mails from 2000 and 2001, a neighbor gave Stevens regular progress reports on a project that turned a modest backwoods A-frame into a two-story home with a new roof, hardwood floors, wraparound decks, a sauna and a garage.
"We look forward to seeing the house," Stevens wrote back, referring to his wife, Catherine. "I guess we can't call it a chalet anymore."
The neighbor, Bob Persons, credited an employee of VECO Corp. with doing the bulk of the work, and the senator occasionally asked for invoices.
"Don't forget, we need a bill," he e-mailed Allen at one point.
Prosecutors also introduced financial disclosure forms from the same period that required Stevens to report gifts to himself or immediate family. The senator listed items like a gold coin worth $1,100 and a sled dog valued at $250 but didn't mention VECO or the cabin project.
Allen, who's cooperating under a plea deal, testified that he couldn't bring himself to charge his close friend for the costs, and that the senator never paid him. The jury heard secretly recorded phone conversations in which the pair discussed how to fend off the FBI.
The corruption investigation has rattled Alaska politics, turning prominent state lawmakers into convicted felons and making Stevens vulnerable to a Democratic challenge for his Senate seat in the Nov. 4 election.
Community Discussion
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I think its become very clear that Stevens is guilty. Mistrial or not, there is still the matter of the election and maybe people should think two or three times before they elect this sneaky old man.
I think its became very clear that this "trial" is nothing more than a farce.
Unless the prosecution has a rabbit up their sleeves today, the defense's motion which will be heard this afternoon should be granted and the case dismissed. There's simply nothing there that suggests Senator Stevens was involved in any wrongdoing.
What a waste of money... The prosecution never had anything on Ted; all they wanted to do was drag a senior leaders name through the mud. The prosecution team should have to pay all of the costs associated with this trial to teach them and others like them a lesson.
There is no direct evidence that Ted Stevens did anything. You may not like Ted Stevens politics but the prosecution has to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. At this point they look like the guilty party. At best it's malicious prosecution.
Opsamk
Are you discriminating on the man's age? Your remarks are so vague, but you are entitled to them.
Maybe you have not been in this state long enough to know who this man, Sen. Stevens really is. He took part in fighting for Alaska for years. Alaska is faring better then all the states now. Sen. Stevens took a great part in that through his hard work, and commitment to this State. I don't have his record in front of me, but I know it is long and loyal to this State, fight after fight.
The feds want him out so they can have better control over this State.
They are trying to take out the chains strongest link first, Stevens. It's all dirty politics.
This State needs to stand behind Stevens, and when he's gone I pray we find a Man or Woman of his caliber.
These charges and the malicious prosecution of the Senator have clearly shown the government prosecutors as seeking a conviction and not justice. We now have to rely on a judge to do the right thing and dismiss the case. Then follow it with charges egainst the prosecutor for mis-conduct.
Stevens is clearly guilty of the narrow charge of not reporting the gifts as required by law.
I wish he had resigned this summer so we could have thrown parades in his honor.
STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.
/You're embarrassing yourselves...
His going to get off, I just hope he retires gracefully instead of kicking and screaming. He has done plenty for Alaska and deserves a big send off.
"STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.
/You're embarrassing yourselves..."
Yea I agree, ignorance is the only thing Ted Stevens and his supporters have up their sleeve I guess. Ted Stevens is an old man that thinks he can get away with hiding free stuff that came from a criminal, I wont feel sorry for him.
He's going right back to his Senate seat. BIZ as per usual, unless they're saving all the fireworks for some grand finale, Ted is moving on, and will get around 80% of the vote next month. Ouch, that's gotta hurt!
Free the man!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I worked 17 years in Oil & Gas and I got out because of the very things Stevens is charged of. The 'gifts' are everywhere as the expectation of favors returned. Avoid even the shadow of a doubt lest ye be stoned by the crowds! 40 years of good service are overshadowed by 40 years of 'gifts' which are now questionable. It is simply time to retire. He will not get my vote nor that of anyone I personally know.
Yes, he's a very unethical old man... Vote for Begich, bring back some honesty and accountablility to our Alaska politics!
When in history was ever Politics honest, and accountable. Doubt that it will ever, more so now that they separated God from leadership. This country was built on a lie, stolen and ran over from the previous occupants.
Just because this country was built this way, doesn't excuse us as citizens from making things better. What you have stated is just a cop-out; instead of doing anything positive or even trying at all.
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