JUNEAU — Legal bills are nibbling at U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens’ finances.
In a 2007 financial disclosure report released Friday, the Alaska Republican reported owing up to $50,000 to a Washington law firm, Williams & Connolly — the result of a Justice Department investigation into repairs made to his home in Girdwood.
Stevens and his son, former state Sen. Ben Stevens, have been subjects of a broad ranging corruption probe.
Neither has been charged, and both deny any wrongdoing. The elder Stevens is seeking re-election.
The veteran lawmaker was traveling Friday and not available for comment beyond an e-mailed statement provided by his office staff.
In it, Stevens touted his recent successes in Congress including increasing pilots’ retirement age to 65 and securing a travel stipend for rural veterans attending college.
“I work hard for Alaskans in Washington D.C. That is my focus. My attorneys handle legal matters arising from the investigation,” wrote Stevens.
In the document detailing his personal finances, Stevens reported an earned income of $165,200 — his salary as a U.S. senator.
It also shows his assets are worth between $900,000 and $2.1 million, with about half of that in a blind trust.
Individual assets include oil well interests in Oklahoma worth $50,001 to $100,000 and rental housing in Wickenburg, Ariz., in the same range. Local holdings include property in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley worth between $50,000 and $100,000 and a share in Sack’s Restaurant, a downtown Anchorage eatery, worth between $1,00 and $15,000.
Stevens also is part of a group of 10 prominent Alaskans who owned a racehorse together under a company called Alaska’s Great Eagle, which is also listed on the senator’s disclosure form.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s annual financial report was also released Friday. The junior senator’s assets are worth between about $850,000 and $2.6 million. More than $1 million is tied to the sale of a building on E Street in Anchorage.
Neither Murkowski nor Stevens report receiving any gifts last year.
A similar report will be made available for the U.S. House — including Alaska Rep. Don Young — on Monday.
