DOJ: Stevens Knowingly Hid Gifts - Said Jail Time Was The Worst That Could HappenToday’s Highlights From Senator Stevens Corruption Trial: DOJ: STEVENS KNOWINGLY HID GIFTS – SAID JAIL TIME WAS THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN Stevens’ Defense: He Doesn’t Even Live In Alaska Anchorage, Alaska – As opening statements began today in the corruption trial for Senator Ted Stevens, Alaskans and the jury learned more about how the case will unfold. Prosecutors told the jury they will hear a recording of Stevens telling former VECO CEO Bill Allen, “…that the worst that could happen to the two was if anyone found what the company had done for him was that they’d have to spend a lot of money on lawyers - and perhaps serve a little jail time.” [Prosecutor: VECO was Stevens ‘handyman service, Anchorage Daily News, 09/25/08] Stevens defense team’s counter was that, “…Ted Stevens doesn’t really live in Alaska… ‘They live here with us in the District of Columbia because he works up here on Capitol Hill’… Stevens only spent six days at his Girdwood, Alaska, home in 2000, and 19 days in 2001.” [Sullivan: Ted Stevens Doesn’t Really Live In Alaska, Politico, 09/25/08] Meanwhile, Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin was finally asked today about endorsing Stevens and made it clear she will not. “When a reporter asked Palin, Alaska’s governor, if she supports the re-election of Stevens, she replied: ‘Ted Stevens’ trial started a couple of days ago. We’ll see where that goes.’” [In rare exchange with reporters, Palin avoids endorsing Sen. Ted Stevens Political Future, AP, 09/25/08] “It is becoming clearer that Senator Stevens cannot serve Alaska,” said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. “Instead of working to help Alaska families during the financial crisis, he is sitting in a courtroom on corruption charges. Stevens hasn’t even made a single comment on this mess hurting Alaska families. Stevens has lost touch with Alaska families – he is even using the fact that he never comes home to Alaska as his defense.” Check out http://RetireTed.com for the latest updates on Stevens’ corruption trial and the Alaska Senate race. # # # |
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