Only One Sen. Stevens at a Time in Corruption Trial

CQ Politics.com | October 1, 2008

By Kathleen Hunter, CQ StaffWed Oct 1, 8:53 AM ET

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens is the only “Sen. Stevens” jurors are going to hear star government witness Bill Allen refer to by name as testimony continues in the federal trial.

U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan has barred witness BillAllen from referring to the Republican senator’s son, Ben, as anything more specific than “State Senator B.”

Ben Stevens used to be president of Alaska’s state Senate.

Defense lawyers feared — and the judge agreed — that allowing Allen to refer to Ben Stevens by name would unfairly prejudice the jury.

Last year, Allen pleaded guilty to extortion, bribery and fraud in a case in which he was accused of trading favors with state legislators. Ben Stevens, who has never been charged with any crime, is one of five state legislators whose relationship with Allen was questioned in that case.

“The government obviously wishes to tar the defendant with unproven allegations about his son,” Stevens’ lawyers wrote in a motion to exclude Ben Stevens’ name.

The judge granted the motion Tuesday.

Prosecutors are expected to question Allen for several more hours today before the defense cross-examines him.

Then there are a half-dozen or so additional government witnesses due to testify before the prosecution wraps up its case Thursday.