PatriotG
07-29-2008, 01:35 PM
Alaska senator indicted on criminal charges
Justice Department alleges he didn't report more than $250,000 worth of gifts
By Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch
Last Update: 3:19 PM ET Jul 29, 2008
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Justice Department indicted Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens on Tuesday on criminal charges related to improper disclosure of gifts and services valued at more than $250,000 in his home state.
Matthew Friedrich, acting assistant U.S. attorney general, said Tuesday that the government is charging the legislator with seven felony counts of making false statements between 1999 and 2006. Stevens was chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from 1997 to 2005, except for the 18 months when Democrats controlled the chamber.
The Justice Department is alleging that Stevens, who is 84, accepted gifts from oil-services company Veco in the form of material and labor to renovate his private residence in Alaska.
"These items were not disclosed" on Stevens' Senate financial-disclosure forms, according to Friedrich.
The senator's lawyer has denied any wrongdoing by Stevens.
The indictment alleged that Stevens received substantial home improvements to property he owns in Girdwood, Alaska; automobile exchanges in which the senator got new vehicles worth far more than the used vehicles he provided in return; and household goods.
Stevens used his position and office on Veco's behalf, the indictment charged.
Along with being one of the Senate's most influential lawmakers, Stevens is the longest-serving Republican senator in the party's history, representing his state for 40 years. He's up for re-election again this year
Stevens chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during the 109th Congress. He is currently the ranking member on the committee.
The indictment of Stevens is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation in Alaska. There have been seven criminal convictions to date from the investigation. Former Veco Chief Executive Bill Allen and Richard Smith, the company's former vice president of community affairs and government relations, pleaded guilty in May 2007 to providing more than $400,000 in corrupt payments to Alaska public officials.
Justice Department alleges he didn't report more than $250,000 worth of gifts
By Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch
Last Update: 3:19 PM ET Jul 29, 2008
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Justice Department indicted Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens on Tuesday on criminal charges related to improper disclosure of gifts and services valued at more than $250,000 in his home state.
Matthew Friedrich, acting assistant U.S. attorney general, said Tuesday that the government is charging the legislator with seven felony counts of making false statements between 1999 and 2006. Stevens was chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from 1997 to 2005, except for the 18 months when Democrats controlled the chamber.
The Justice Department is alleging that Stevens, who is 84, accepted gifts from oil-services company Veco in the form of material and labor to renovate his private residence in Alaska.
"These items were not disclosed" on Stevens' Senate financial-disclosure forms, according to Friedrich.
The senator's lawyer has denied any wrongdoing by Stevens.
The indictment alleged that Stevens received substantial home improvements to property he owns in Girdwood, Alaska; automobile exchanges in which the senator got new vehicles worth far more than the used vehicles he provided in return; and household goods.
Stevens used his position and office on Veco's behalf, the indictment charged.
Along with being one of the Senate's most influential lawmakers, Stevens is the longest-serving Republican senator in the party's history, representing his state for 40 years. He's up for re-election again this year
Stevens chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation during the 109th Congress. He is currently the ranking member on the committee.
The indictment of Stevens is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation in Alaska. There have been seven criminal convictions to date from the investigation. Former Veco Chief Executive Bill Allen and Richard Smith, the company's former vice president of community affairs and government relations, pleaded guilty in May 2007 to providing more than $400,000 in corrupt payments to Alaska public officials.