Sen. Ted Stevens leaves federal court in Washington, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, after guilty verdicts were returned by the jury at his trial. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
by Frank James
Sen. Ted Stevens, the Alaska Republican, needed an acquittal in his federal trial to keep alive his chances of hanging on to his Senate seat. He didn't get it. He was convicted today by a jury here in Washington of failing to report gifts on his federal disclosure forms.
Steven's race with Mark Begich, Anchorage, Alaska's mayor, has been a dead heat according to the polls. But now it's hard to see how Begich doesn't win after this conviction.
Stevens doesn't have to exit the race since you can be a convicted felon and still serve in Congress. But if he were to somehow win, it's hard to see how the Republican caucus wouldn't force him quit.
Here's part of the Associated Press's story:
By MATT APUZZO and JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that tainted the 40-year Senate career of Alaska's political patriarch.
The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, added further uncertainty to a closely watched Senate race. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Stevens, 84, was convicted of all the charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating last week.
The senator showed no emotion as the jury foreman said "guilty" seven times. After the verdicts, Stevens sat in his chair and stared at the ceiling as attorney Brendan Sullivan put his arm around him.
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.
The monthlong 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. He kept his campaign going and gave no indication that he had a contingency plan in case of conviction.
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." ...
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Comments
5,,4,,3,,2,,1:
'It's the liberal press!!'
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | October 27, 2008 6:31 PM
Of course they'd make him quit. Then Gov. Palin will appoint herself to fill his Senate seat.
Posted by: JT | October 27, 2008 6:34 PM
Good!
Posted by: Geep | October 27, 2008 6:48 PM
It all catches up with politicians. It will be interesting when Obama's secrets are finally flushed out.
a Letter to Philip Berg Regarding Berg v. Obama. http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/letter-to-philip-berg-regarding-berg-v-obama/
Posted by: ZachJonesIsHome | October 27, 2008 6:56 PM
I'm sorry to see that he was convicted. However, I am not totally broken up over the fact that this is a career ender for him. I somehow just can't bring myself to commiserate over the fact that the biggest Republican porkster of the bunch will have to leave Congress. His actions simply did not reflect the kind of fiscal conservatism Republicans are supposed to champion. Oh well, one down . . .
Posted by: John W. | October 27, 2008 7:17 PM
Posted by: JT | October 27, 2008 6:34 PM
Bite your tongue!!! Don't jinx us!!!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 27, 2008 7:45 PM
"Also", if you are going to steal, why not make it worth your while...steal millions so you can have a great life in another country. This stuff adds up to a-hill-o-beans. Make it worth you while to spend your remaining years in prison!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 27, 2008 7:48 PM
Now if Stevens wins his re-election. . and goes to prison, Palin can appoint herself as the replacement so she can 'git in dere and make good laws' like she promised that 3rd grader!!
Gee, it sure looks like Blunder Woman the GOP Vice Presidential nominee has a lot of friends in low places:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YptTFDsktVQ
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YOU BETCHA!
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Posted by: John E | October 27, 2008 7:56 PM
Glad to see justice catch up with politicians- they make the solftest salary in America plus expenses ,ever free hair cuts--
If they can't live on their pay they should be under the jail-
ps-Wonder if its any more out their-
Posted by: George | October 27, 2008 7:59 PM
'Dr. No' Stevens gets his just desserts.
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | October 27, 2008 8:50 PM
I don't care if they're democrats or republicans......Americans deserve better. Throw all crooks out.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 27, 2008 9:04 PM
Crook s/b in jail.
Just where is Congressman William Jefferson, democrat Louisiana? Still awaiting trial as speaker Pelosi stands by her thief and he will probably be reelected by the district for a 2nd time after his indictment. Where is this bozo's speedy trial - he was indicited in June, 2007
Posted by: Terry | October 27, 2008 10:13 PM
Based of the evidence that has appeared in so many news media sources, I don't see how any honest jury could reach a different verdict. Especially the recordings of his conversations.
I'm a little surprised to see comments about Palin here, since the story has nothing to do with her. She has been generating plenty of bad news for herself without any help from us!
Posted by: Mekhong Kurt | October 27, 2008 11:35 PM
Just where is Congressman William Jefferson, democrat Louisiana? Still awaiting trial as speaker Pelosi stands by her thief and he will probably be reelected by the district for a 2nd time after his indictment. Where is this bozo's speedy trial - he was indicited in June, 2007
Posted by: Terry | October 27, 2008 10:13 PM
This is a Perfect example of why the Republicans can NEVER be trusted. Terry here states that this would be Jefferson's second re-election after being indicted. Then he proves himself to be a liar in the very next sentence, by stating that he was Indicted in June of 2007. As is obvious to anyone who isn't a brain dead hyper-partisan like Terry, there hasn't been a congressional election since June 2007, so it would be impossible for this to be Jefferson's second re-election since indictment. Check any fact a Republican drone like Terry comes up with, More than likely they are lying.
Incidently lying Terry, if you have questions about the pace of Jefferson's case, refer them to your heros George W. Bush and Attorney General Mukasey. They control the Justice Department, not Speaker Pelosi.
Posted by: Mel | October 28, 2008 9:37 AM
Mel,
The crime was committed in 2005 and was national news in 2005. So he was re-elected ONCE in 2006 and no is seeking re-election again (TWICE).
Does that make sense to you?
Posted by: Terry | October 28, 2008 1:31 PM
Mel,
The crime was committed in 2005 and was national news in 2005. So he was re-elected ONCE in 2006 and no is seeking re-election again (TWICE).
Does that make sense to you?
Posted by: Terry | October 28, 2008 1:31 PM
Yes Terry, it makes perfect sense to me that you lied about him being re-elected twice after INDICTMENT. That is very clear. Your level of crediibilty is understood to be none by everyone who read your initial post.
Posted by: Mel | October 28, 2008 2:24 PM
Mel,
Point is Republicans ask their members for their resignantion when they commit a crime, the democrats just let it slide withn their members.
Posted by: Terry | October 28, 2008 7:35 PM