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BREAKING: U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens Indicted in Federal Court
From 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 Tuesday.
Late update: It's worth noting that this comes a few days before the one year anniversary of the date federal agents raided Stevens' Girdwood home.
Ted Stevens, 84, has been a frequent character on TPMmuckraker. For a good profile on the indicted Senator, see here.
No one answered at Stevens' Senate Office in D.C. and the answering machine recording said that the office was closed. In a call to his Anchorage campaign office, the staffer who answered responded, "What?" when asked for a comment on the indictment, followed by a long silence. The staffer would not give further comment on whether or not the office knew that the indictment was handed up today.
Late late update: From McClatchy:
The Justice Department will be making a statement at 1:20 to announce the indictment.
The Anchorage Daily News reports that the indictment comes from a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C.
Late late late update: The AP is reporting the indictments are seven counts of false statements.
Our calls to Brendan Sullivan, Steven's attorney, were not immediately returned.
We have a copy of the Stevens indictment titled, United States of America v. Theodore F. Stevens, it can be viewed here.
The seven counts of false statements appear to be referencing seven years of false statements made on his financial disclosure forms relating to gifts he received from former VECO CEO Bill Allen for the renovations on his home in Girdwood, Alaska, among others.
Allen pleaded guilty to giving more than $400,000 worth of "illegal benefits" to politicians and their families in late 2007.
The DOJ Presser just started.
"As a member of the US Senate, Sen. Ted Stevens was required to file financial disclosure forms. . . to monitor or deter conflicts of interest within the US Senate and its membership."
Between 1999-2006 he accepted gifts from VECO, include substantial amounts of material and labor in his private residence. These allegations include addition of new first floor, new bedrooms and bathrooms.
The total amount of gifts is valued at over $250,000.
In a Q&A, it was revealed that Stevens will be turning himself in and will not be arrested. Stevens' attorney received a call earlier today informing him of his client's indictments.
Filing false financial disclosure statement can result in civil and criminal penalties, including up to 5 years in prison.
The DOJ is not alleging bribery or any kind of quid pro quo, and mentioned that the investigation is continuing.
Comments (63)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
July 29, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
OUT Fuckin Standing!!
First quote from Sen. Stevens on his indictments: " NO"
July 29, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can Digg this here:
http://digg.com/politics/Sen_Ted_Toobez_Stevens_R_AK_Indicted
July 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhh... now I know why he wanted that "bridge to nowhere"
He needs to run across it and hide from the fibbies.
The wheels of justice do grind slowly..... unless your an inner city minority.
July 29, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a series of TUBES!
July 29, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and Ted is going down them.
July 29, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ted writing to friends on the outside: "I'm sitting here in my cell, behind a series of tubes...which some people call 'bars'..."
July 29, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's convenient for the Republicans that this is happening just before the primary rather than just after.
July 29, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
When is the Alaska GOP primary? Was there any polling before the indictment?
Maybe Uncle Ted can still win the Alaska GOP base. Let's hope so, for Dem nominee Mark Begich's sake (and for one more U.S. Senate seat!).
July 29, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is not fortunate at all for the Alaskan GOP! Sen Stevens only has 6 months left in his term, and if the indictments had occurred, say, right after reelection, or even mid-term, then Gov. Palin (I'm guessing) would appoint a GOP replacement.
Even if Sen. Stevens were to resign tomorrow (pretty damned unlikely), a GOP replacement would only have 3 months as a placeholder before the Nov. election. That's not enough time to utilize the advantages of incumbency!
IMO, this is a crushing blow to what was left of the Alaskan GOP hopes.
July 29, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is good news. But I fear that the Senator may have a foolproof defense: When the judge sentences him to jail, he might simply shout "NO!".
July 29, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Life is good.
July 29, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
This great news in so many ways:
1. The ah served a comeuppance
2. His seat is surely a shoo in for Dems
3. Obama cna use this to tie Mccain to corruption and really make this state competitive...
4. I think this will cripple the other half of the corrupt twins in re-election twins
July 29, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree. Let's turn Alaska blue.
July 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldn't that be surreal? Whodathunkit?
July 29, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Begich is in like Flynn now. Nice.
July 29, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not sure about that. Begich was polling well against Stevens and will presumably do even better against him now. But doesn't this make it more likely that the Republican candidate won't be Stevens, in which case Begich might have more trouble?
July 29, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there no end to the good news?
Sure, Stevens is a crook and a goddamned disgrace. But what's he think of the surge?
July 29, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't the indictment wait until, oh, October?
July 29, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
So how long before Fox News puts a (D) next to his name?
July 29, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
This comment wins the thread.
July 29, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like Ted's headed down the tubes.
July 29, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who will be McCain's internet tutor now?
Ted Stevens: Have you heard about this Internet thing?
John McCain: Internet?
Ted Stevens: Yeah, its the inner netting they invented to line swim trunks. It provides a comforting snugness.
July 29, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe the Obama campaign is using a new line of framing on Mccain "an honorable man running a dishonorable campaign." I have heard this a bunch from Obama's surrogates lately and now Daschle on MSNBC.
July 29, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
i'm surprised fox didn't have a "d" next to his name
July 29, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
They will before the day is over.
July 29, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I expected the same as well. Someone over there is not doing their job.
July 29, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Intertubes are buzzing with this one.
What are the chances of Obama changing his schedule and making a personal appearance in Alaska before the election?
July 29, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
One down, one to go.
Now the Justice Department needs next to get the odious and maybe even more crooked Don Young so that Alaska can give that seat back to the country---and symbolically at least partly purify the north slope.
July 29, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Serious question: Do you think this could open the beginning of the indictment sluices opening a bit? Possibly some serious action against Goodling, Rove etc? I know these are unrelated, but maybe somebody had to make the first move.
July 29, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, if anyone close to the administration ever receives justice, it will have to be after Bush leaves office so he can't commute the sentence or pardon them.
July 29, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isnt there Gov in knee deep crap as well?
July 29, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
since he is a republican - it's meaningless - he probably will just be pardoned if bothers to show up in the first place.
Hark.....did I hear "executive privilege"?
July 29, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW! Talk about a man in need of a bridge to nowhere!
July 29, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
ITS NOT A BIG TRUCK!
July 29, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bet Don Young's lawyers are on the phone with DOJ right now, talking plea. He is a goner...
July 29, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans in politics always manage to have a major hand in keeping the unemployment numbers of criminal defense lawyers extremely low.
July 29, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bye bye Dickhead!
July 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans undoubtedly have another crotchety old bastard waiting in the wings (or the closet) to take his place.
Seriously, isn't the usual course of action to resign his committees and retain his seat for the time being? Knowing Ted, they'll probably have to drag him out kicking and screaming.
July 29, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
hehe tubesteak teddy finally gets his due ...
Watching all these GOPer crooks work their way through the Justice system will provide an ample supply of schadenfreude for many years to come. Just let's not allow that to divert us from meaningful system reform. Although the extent to which the bush/CHENY administration has corrupted just about everything it has come into contact with may require a "Truth Commission" of some sorts.
July 29, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't there a recent law passed that if a Member of Congress was convicted in office, they lose their federal pension?
July 29, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Politics and CORRUPTION seem to go hand in hand!
*SIGH* OsiSpeaks.com
July 29, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, he was indicted three days ago but we didn't hear about it in the Lower 48 because the Tubes were full.
July 29, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about Little Ben? Where's his indictment? Will they be able to get a father-and-son cell?
I can't wait to hear the pathetic denials from Stevens' office (is the Duke Cunningham defense coming?), and especially what Don ''mink in a Coke bottle' Young has to say!
July 29, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm expecting a brain tumor from him, any moment!
July 29, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you sure that Incompetance and Corruption is not going to be rewarded by the Alaskan GOP voters ??
One more seat for the Dems.. LOL LOL LOL
Maybe we will luck out and he will drive off the bridge to nowhere.
July 29, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny.
July 29, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, he was indicted three days ago but we didn't hear about it in the Lower 48 because the Tubes were full.
Posted by ericAZ
I was replying to this post, ericAZ.
July 29, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does he get to turn himself in? Siegelman wasn't extended that courtesy, and his charges were trumped up.
July 29, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just got off the phone with my jubilant parents in Alaska... Being a liberal there is like living under the wicked witches of the East and West.
Correction to an understandably common error being made here: The crook responsible for the "bridge to nowhere" is Rep. Don Young, who may lose his seat in the primary--he's that radioactive.
Obama is airing TV ads in Alaska, btw.
Happy days ahead.
July 29, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess his bridge actually leads someplace . . . the Federal Pokey
July 29, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
NO! Not enough pain! Shouldn't Mrs. Stevens be charged as a co-defendant? She must have been well aware that her hubby was taking illegal bribes from VECO to literally rebuild the entire house. Since she benefitted from the crime she should also be made to pay.
July 29, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wasn't talking about Stevens resigning. I was talking about him losing the primary. And I wasn't talking about the advantage of incumbency but about the disadvantage of being tainted by scandal, which it seems to me outweighs the incumbency advantage at this point (just as it does for Don Young). A new Republican candidate wouldn't have the taint.
But James L. at Swing State Project doesn't think it's a problem, so I yield to his analysis.
July 29, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Argh, this comment system is so broken. How many times to I have to log in?
Anyway, that was supposed to be a reply to Twin Planets.
July 29, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does this mean he's not going to be tased?
July 29, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please guys, help out Mark Begich take this seat. It will be the first time in decades that AK has had a dem in the senate. He already had a slight lead in the polls but now we can really seal the deal. I wouldn't put it past folks up here to elect Stevens even with this inditement. So please throw Begich some help. We can win.
July 29, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Made my day.
July 29, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good news, but now watch him pull a Ken Lay and die before sentencing.
July 29, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
For once I am rather pleased to be a part of the "United States Of America", the one reading "United States of America v. Theodore F. Stevens"
May this total scumbag go down with many more to follow.
July 29, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't see how this in any way is related to a series of tubes.
July 29, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been reading this site for many months now and this finally motivated me to register and comment.
Something that tastes this sweet can't help but cause me cavities.
July 30, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
How did this guy get to be a successful politician? He looks like the guy who gets arrested with fourteen partly cannibalized bodies buried in his yard.
July 30, 2008 1:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not a lawyer but this indictment seems to be missing some other charges.
July 30, 2008 7:03 AM | Reply | Permalink