Senator Ted Stevens found guilty on corruption charges
From Sunshine Review
27 October 2008 Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was found guilty on seven counts of corruption. A jury declared Stevens violated federal ethics laws by failing to report $250,000 in gifts and services related to the renovation of his home. Despite the conviction, the Senator plans to continue his bid for re-election[1], declaring, "I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have."[2]
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[edit] Guilty
The $250,000 in gifts and renovations came courtesy of oil services company VECO Corp. Bill Allen, old friend to Stevens and founder of VECO, testified that Stevens was never billed for any of the work or goods, and that he knew it was quite a deal. Stevens denied all these charges, saying he paid $160,000 in bills, believing that was for everything.
After the jury read a guilty verdict on all seven counts, the Senator remained defiant, charging prosecutors of blatant misconduct. “I am innocent," he declared. "This verdict is the result of the unconscionable manner in which the Justice Department lawyers conducted this trial.”[1]
[edit] Re-election?
Stevens, a 40 year veteran of the Senate, has no plans to end his bid for re-election. He is up against Democrat Mark Begich. While there is no rule barring a convicted felon from serving in Congress, the Senate can expel him with a 2/3rds vote. That appears unlikely, however, as only 15 senators have been expelled since 1789, mostly for supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War.[1]
While most see the conviction as the end of a long political career, Carl Shepro, professor of political science at the University of Alaska in Anchorage, thinks it is possible for Stevens to win after all. He said that many citizens think Stevens is being unjustly treated and do not believe the charges really add up to corruption. That verdict will come November 4th.
[edit] Response
In response to the conviction, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin said, "The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company that was allowed to control too much of our state. It was part of the culture of corruption I was elected to fight. And that fight must always move forward regardless of party or seniority or even past service."[1] She said she is “confident that Senator Stevens will do what’s right for the people of Alaska,” but did not specify what that is.
U.S. District Judge Judgepedia:Emmet Sullivan delayed sentencing until after February 25th, per motions from Stevens' lawyers.[1] Stevens faces up to five years for each count, but could face much less under federal sentencing guidelines.
