Stevens Prosecutors Could Wrap Up Thursday

Roll Call | September 30, 2008

September 30, 2008, 1:17 p.m.
By Jennifer Yachnin
Roll Call Staff
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Federal prosecutors could wrap up their case against Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia as early as Thursday, attorneys said. Prosecutor Nick Marsh said Tuesday that the government has eight witnesses remaining.

Given the rapid pace of the trial — initially anticipated to last four weeks — Judge Emmet Sullivan said he may not call jurors into the courthouse Friday.

Under that schedule, Stevens’ defense team will begin its argument on the lawmaker’s behalf on Monday.

Stevens is charged with seven counts of filing false statements over an eight-year period to conceal the receipt of more than $250,000 in gifts — primarily in renovations to his Girdwood, Alaska, home — from the now-defunct VECO oil services firm and its executives.

Former VECO head Bill Allen is expected to testify on behalf of the prosecution Tuesday afternoon.