He was indicted on 7 counts! The charges are anticipated to be solely about false statements he made to investigators in the larger case. I wonder where the corruption charges are in the process and if they will ever truly charge him fully.
I can't say how happy I am that Stevens will finally be removed from the Senate. It should be interesting to hear HIS news conference when it is scheduled. They will probably have to have a "seniors certified" butterfly net on the ready just in case.
Perhaps the most interesting part is the opportunity to capture this seat this fall....
TEXT OF INDICTMENT:
BACKGROUND ON INVESTIGATION:
Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate and one of the chamber's most powerful members, was indicted Tuesday in Washington for failing to disclose more than $250,000 worth of gifts that he received from businessmen who were seeking his help on federal issues and projects.
The seven-count indictment charges Stevens with making false statements by failing to disclose things of value he received from the Veco Corp., an Alaska-based oil services compmany, and from its CEO, Bill Allen, over an eight-year period.
The indictment charges that among the undeclared items were substantial improvements to Stevens' home in Girdwood, Alaska; automobile exchanges in which he received new vehicles that were worth far more than the old ones he exchanged; and household goods, including a Viking gas grill.
At the same time, according to the indictment, Stevens received solicitations for official actions from Allen and and other Veco employees, and used his office on behalf of Veco.
The federal Ethics in Government Act requires all senators to file financial disclosures statements detailing their transactions during the previous calendar year, including the disclosure of gifts above a specified value and all liabilities greater than $10,000.
McClatchy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Ted Stevens from Alaska, the longest serving U.S. Republican senator ever, was indicted on seven counts related to his holding of public office, a federal law enforcement official said on Tuesday.
The U.S. Justice Department has scheduled a news conference for 1:20 p.m. to make an announcement "regarding a significant criminal matter." The official said the news conference would announce the criminal charges against Stevens that have been returned by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C.
Reuters
The FBI, working with an Alaska oil contractor, secretly taped telephone calls with Sen. Ted Stevens as part of a public corruption sting it was reported late last year, according to people close to the investigation.
The secret recordings suggest the Justice Department was eyeing Stevens long before June 2007, when the Republican senator first publicly acknowledged he was under scrutiny. At that time, it appeared Stevens was a new focus in a case that had already ensnared several state lawmakers.
The recorded calls between Stevens and businessman Bill Allen were confirmed by two people close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still under way. They declined to say how many calls were recorded or what was said.
CBS Alaska
One more reason for McCain to run against GOP, Capitol Hill
Ted Stevens, the long-serving senator from Alaska and former chairman of the powerful Appropriatons Committee, is to be indicted today on seven criminal counts.
No word yet from McCain or the campaign, but I'd be shocked if they didn't at least subtly remind voters about the clashes between the two senators over the years.
McCain often likes to brag that Stevens had once deemed him, "The Sheriff," for his crusading ways.
The two served together on the Commerce committee and have battled frequently over pork -- despised by McCain and beloved by Stevens.
More broadly, the political bottom line of today's news is that it likely moves the Democrats one step closer to having 60 votes in the Senate.
Politico
Candidates for AK US Senator:
United States Senate
* Mark Begich (Democrat)
P.O. Box 240287
Anchorage, AK 99524
Phone: (907) 272-6275
e-mail: mark@begich.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.begich.com
* Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence)
50615 Shemya Way
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 776-5898
e-mail: bob.bird@hotmail.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.birdforsenate.com
* Rocky C. Caldero (Democrat) - Withdrew
P.O. Box 920366
Dutch Harbor, AK 99692
* Michael D. Corey (Republican)
9010 Spruce Run Circle
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 346-8258
* David W. Cuddy (Republican)
555 W Northern Lights Blvd #222
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 952-1720
e-mail: Dave@DaveCuddy.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.DaveCuddy.com
* Fredrick D. "David" Haase (Libertarian)
200 W 34th PMB 587
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 279-8768
e-mail: davidforalaska@gmail.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.DavidforAlaska.com
* Gerald L. "Jerry" Heikes (Republican)
16170 Smith Rd.
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: (907) 745-1139
* Ray Metcalfe (Democrat)
P.O. Box 233809
Anchorage, AK 99523
Phone: (907) 250-5442
* Roderic H. "Rick" Sikma (Republican)
P.O. Box 55674
North Pole, AK 99705
Phone: (907) 378-5778
e-mail: rick@ricksikma.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.ricksikma.com
* Ted Stevens (Republican) -Incumbent
P.O. Box 100879
Anchorage, AK 99510
Phone: (888) 339-4608
e-mail: TedStevens@tedstevens2008.com
Candidate's web site: http://www.tedstevens2008.com
* Vic Vickers (Republican)
3010 McCollie Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99517
Phone: (907) 677-6600
* Frank J. Vondersaar (Democrat)
1740 Saltwater Dr.
Homer, AK 99603
* Rich M. Wanda (Republican)
P.O. Box 211986
Anchorage, AK 99521
e-mail: dickwanda2004@yahoo.com