:)
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All charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens to be dropped
The Alaska Republican was convicted last year on seven felony counts of lying on Senate financial disclosure forms.
By Mark Silva and Josh Meyer
5:28 AM PDT, April 1, 2009
The Justice Department plans to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens, the 85-year old Alaska Republican convicted last year of lying on Senate financial disclosure forms to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and home renovations from a businessman, according to a news report this morning.
Attorney General Eric Holder has concluded that the conviction of Stevens cannot be supported because of problems with the government's prosecution, which had been openly criticized by the trial judge, National Public Radio first reported.
The Justice Department would not comment on the report this morning,
Justice will withdraw its opposition to a defense motion for a new trial and will dismiss the indictment against Stevens, NPR reported, but that will require a court filing and none had been filed yet.
Stevens' lawyer, Brendan V. Sullivan Jr., said this morning that he had not been notified that the charges were being dropped but that he planned to attend an already scheduled meeting with Justice Department lawyers at 10 a.m. EDT to discuss the case.
"I do not have any confirmation from any government official.,'' said Sullivan, who said he been told by someone outside the department that the charges will be dropped.
Sullivan, one of the highest-profile defense lawyers in Washington, has long fought for the charges to be dropped in a case tainted by prosecutorial misconduct.
"It's fully justified ,'' said Sullivan, a senior partner at Williams & Connolly who has represented numerous high-profile clinents including Lt. Col. Oliver North of Iran-Contra fame and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros.
In December, in appealing the conviction, Stevens had asked a federal judge to grant him a new trial, arguing that the case against him had many "deficiencies."
The judge in the case repeatedly has delayed sentencing of the former longtime senator – the longest-serving Republican in the Senate -- who lost his bid for reelection in November in the face of the charges against him.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan had criticized prosecutors for misconduct, and held Justice Department lawyers in contempt last month for failing to turn documents over to him as ordered. He called their behavior "outrageous.''
Sullivan had ordered Justice to reveal the agency's internal communications regarding a whistle-blower complaint brought by an FBI agent involved in the investigation of Stevens.
Holder is said to have based his decision on Stevens' age, the fact that he is no longer in the Senate -- and "perhaps most importantly,'' because the new attorney general wanted to "send a message'' to prosecutors that misconduct will not be tolerated, NPR reported this morning.
Holder started his own career in the Public Integrity section of the Justice Department. The attorney general also knows the trial judge, Sullivan, well – the two served together as superior court judges.
For Stevens, a powerful Republican leader with 40 years in the Senate, the federal case against him became a career-killer.
A month-long trial showed that employees for VEICO Corp., an oil services company, had transformed Stevens' modest mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, sauna and wine cellar. Stevens maintained that he had paid $160,000 for the work, believing that covered all the costs.
A federal jury in Washington convicted Stevens on seven felony corruption charges stemming from his failure to report gifts and home remodeling work from a powerful oil services industry company. He became only the fifth sitting senator in U.S. history to be convicted of a felony.
Stevens, who was convicted in late October, returned home to Alaska a week before Election Day vowing to win reelection.
"I'm here to tell you that I am innocent of the charges that have been brought against me, and I will be vindicated," Stevens said then. "And there is one thing you can count on: I will never stop fighting for the people of Alaska.''
State Republican leaders still counted on the veteran politician to win reelection despite his conviction. But Democrat Mark Begich, mayor of Anchorage, defeated him, helping Democrats gain a greater majority.
Stevens had been credited with helping the Alaskan territory win statehood, settling Alaska Native land claims, expanding oil development and bringing home millions of federal dollars for highways, schools, hospitals and rural development.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I am less than shocked to discover that the whole thing was a Democrat smear campaign.
Quote from: Neil on April 01, 2009, 08:37:25 AM
I am less than shocked to discover that the whole thing was a Democrat smear campaign.
In any case, Ted is so sleazy that he deserves it. :cool:
Quote from: Neil on April 01, 2009, 08:37:25 AM
I am less than shocked to discover that the whole thing was a Democrat smear campaign.
I am less than shocked to discover a well paid defense attorney can get rich people out of anything.
:cool: Liberty for the rich, justice for poors.
Quote from: Caliga on April 01, 2009, 08:41:55 AM
:cool: Liberty for the rich, justice for poors.
That a Libertarian slogan?
Yes.
:yeahright:
Quote from: Neil on April 01, 2009, 08:37:25 AM
I am less than shocked to discover that the whole thing was a Democrat smear campaign.
It's an odd sort of Democratic smear campaign - involving a prosecution brought under the GOP administration and repudiated by the new Democratic AG.
Andd the expected GOP letter was sent out over night.
QuoteAlaska Republicans: 'Begich should resign'
Posted by Alaska_Politics
Posted: April 2, 2009 - 9:01 am
From David Hulen in Anchorage --
In an overnight e-mail, Alaska Republican Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich calls for Sen. Mark Begich to step down and that a special election be held. Here's the e-mail (as it was sent):
Alaska Republican Party Hails Stevens Inocence
Anchorage, Alaska - The Alaska Republican Party has supported Senator Ted Stevens for more than 40 years and the party hailed the news today that the federal Department of Justice is dropping all charges against our former Senator.
"I am delighted to see justice moving forward. The position that the Alaska Republican Party took after the trial was that Alaskans needed to support the senator, and now we have further information to support our position," Randy Ruedrich, ARP Chairman, said.
The Alaska Republican Party further believes that current Senator Mark Begich should resign his position to allow for a new, special election, so Alaskans may have the chance to vote for a Senator without the improper influence of the corrupt Department of Justice.
The only reason Mark Begich won the election in November is because a few thousand Alaskans thought that Senator Ted Stevens was guilty of seven felonies. Senator Stevens has maintained his innocence and now, even the Department of Justice acknowedges it's wrong doing.
A special election will allow Alaskans to have a real, non-biased, credible process where the most qualified person could win, without the manipulation of the Department of Justice.
"We'll look forward to the complete story presenting itself and clearing Senator Stevens name.," Ruedrich said.
I'm sure Begich will comply. :yes:
Dude, seriously... it's time for you to retire, Mr. Stevens.
Quote from: Caliga on April 02, 2009, 01:20:12 PM
I'm sure Begich will comply. :yes:
Dude, seriously... it's time for you to retire, Mr. Stevens.
Heh GOP chairman Ruedrich thinks Palin is too liberal, tells ya what kind of nutbar he is.
Quote from: Caliga on April 02, 2009, 01:20:12 PM
I'm sure Begich will comply. :yes:
Dude, seriously... it's time for you to retire, Mr. Stevens.
:lmfao:
And now Palin has agreed that Begich should resign and have a special election. :bleeding:
You guys seriously need to check the mercury level in your fish.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 02, 2009, 09:07:51 AM
Quote from: Neil on April 01, 2009, 08:37:25 AM
I am less than shocked to discover that the whole thing was a Democrat smear campaign.
It's an odd sort of Democratic smear campaign - involving a prosecution brought under the GOP administration and repudiated by the new Democratic AG.
Clearly the old, Republican AG was bribed by Democrats. As for the new guy, maybe he has some integrity. I know that'd be shocking, for a member of the party of Obama to have even a little bit of honour, but it's not impossible.
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
Unfortunately, that's the system that lawyers have made for us. If you help me turn over the rule of law, we can make things right.
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
But boy what a fuck up the way the Feds handled this case.
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
Actually, according to US legal principles, that could be the case. Innocent until proven guilty, so if the prosecution makes a mistake in the process of proving he's guilty, then he's assumed innocent and generally covered under double jeopardy protections. :smarty:
See: OJ Simpson, 1995.
The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that applies in a court of law - its not a principle that can (or should) apply in the wider world.
And double jeopardy only applies if he's been aquitted at trial. Stevens was convicted. :contract:
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 07:21:38 PM
The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that applies in a court of law - its not a principle that can (or should) apply in the wider world.
And double jeopardy only applies if he's been aquitted at trial. Stevens was convicted. :contract:
Fair enough. In that case, it's an appeals question, and an appeal to overturn can be responded to in kind.
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
I thought you'd be more supportive of your fellow ice-dweller. Look at Neil. He supports his fellow eskimo.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 02, 2009, 09:59:27 PM
I thought you'd be more supportive of your fellow ice-dweller. Look at Neil. He supports his fellow eskimo.
...provided said Eskimo is not too dark. ;)
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
Except of course when the prosecution fabricates evidence of guilt and withholds evidence of innocence as is now alleged.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/us/politics/08stevens.html
Quote from: Razgovory on April 02, 2009, 09:59:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
I thought you'd be more supportive of your fellow ice-dweller. Look at Neil. He supports his fellow eskimo.
I thought I was being supportive of my fellow ice-dwelling prosecutors. :cool:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 07, 2009, 02:00:28 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
Except of course when the prosecution fabricates evidence of guilt and withholds evidence of innocence as is now alleged.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/us/politics/08stevens.html
It's NYT. They are probably just saying this to defend the their fellow Dem. The AG in Alaska.
Quote from: Barrister on April 07, 2009, 02:22:43 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 02, 2009, 09:59:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 02, 2009, 06:42:27 PM
Okay, I have to say it:
-just because there were mistakes made by the prosecution does not mean that Stevens is innocent.
I thought you'd be more supportive of your fellow ice-dweller. Look at Neil. He supports his fellow eskimo.
I thought I was being supportive of my fellow ice-dwelling prosecutors. :cool:
Uh they were D.C. based to my knowledge. :P