Judge Rejects Stevens’ Frivolous Motions And Delay TacticsRulings Today Deliver Blow To Stevens Attempt To Dismiss Trial Without Explanation To Voters Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan today ruled against several frivolous motions filed by Senator Ted Stevens in his seven felony count case related to his accepting illegal gifts. The ruling is a blow to Stevens’ attempts over the past month to dismiss the case without an explanation to voters. Pending further motions, the trial is expected to start on September 22 with jury selection. Judge Sullivan commented that, “The defendant asked for a speedy trial, and a speedy trial is what he will get.” Stevens lawyers had previously called this a “simple case” and asked for a “speedy trial,” but have since filed eight motions seemingly trying to delay the trial. Of the eight motions filed by Stevens, six have been dismissed to date, and the judge plans to rule on the one remaining motion at a later point. Though Stevens has proclaimed his innocence to Alaskan voters, he has continually refused to answer questions surrounding the felony charges. Today, the court rejected Stevens’ attempt to dismiss the charges and refused to throw out evidence against Stevens. “It seems that everyday new evidence of Stevens’ wrongdoing is emerging from the prosecution,” said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. “The court ruling today will force Stevens to actually prove that he is innocent of these felony charges instead of hiding behind slick legal maneuvers.” In the pre-trial motion hearing today, the court ruled against Stevens’ motions to dismiss the case. The court threw out Stevens’ claims that members of Congress are above the law and that federal investigators should not be able to investigate a Senator. The judge kept all charges in the indictment on the table, and ruled against the defense allegations that the charges were too vague. “Stevens has refused to answer Alaskan’s questions about his shady dealings and investigation. Today’s rulings are a blow to Stevens’ attempts to dismiss this case without explanation. Stevens has been operating under a cloud of secrecy. More and more evidence against Stevens is piling up – from the Florida Condo deal to a power generator, from a jeep for Stevens’ daughter to a massage chair. What else is Stevens hiding from voters?” Lesser added. On July 30, Stevens was indicted on seven felony counts related to accepting illegal gifts valued at more than $250,000 from VECO. As a result of the indictment, Stevens was forced to resign his seniority on committees, including ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The Alaska Democratic Party has called on Stevens to step down from his Senate seat, retire, and focus on his legal issues. |
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