Prosecutor Says Sen. Stevens's Explanations Are 'Nonsense'

[Hubert Flottz]

Source: Washington Post

The explanations of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) for why he did not report tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and home renovations on financial disclosure forms are "nonsense," a federal prosecutor told jurors today in the lawmaker's corruption trial.

Prosecutor Joseph Bottini said Stevens turned to an oil field services firm to do renovations on his Alaska home in 2000 because he wanted to keep costs down.

"The price is always right when it's free," Bottini said in closing arguments.

Stevens, one of the most powerful Republicans in the Senate, is charged with lying on financial disclosure forms to hide more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his Alaska home from 1999 through 2006. Prosecutors allege that an oil services company, Veco, and its chief executive, Bill Allen, paid for many of the gifts and most of the work. More...





Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

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Traficant expelled after final jabs in House

By Tom Squitieri, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — James Traficant, one of the most colorful and controversial members of the House of Representatives, was expelled by his colleagues Wednesday night, three months after being convicted in federal court of bribery and taking kickbacks. The House vote of 420-1 in favor of expulsion made the Ohio Democrat the fifth House member to be ousted in the chamber's 213-year history. The expulsion took effect immediately. More...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/legislative/hou...

Where is the republican outrage over Stevens's crimes, that we saw when the GOP made such an issue over James Traficant's crimes?

[endarkenment]

1. So? He is a Republican after all.

They have run things for 30 years by spewing nonsense.

[Stuart G]

2. There is no outrage at Stevens...Innocent...

until proven guilty...then a few sad statements about misjudgments and sadness about his plight. No strong indignation or anger at his arrogance and dishonesty...

[Hubert Flottz]

13. Sympathy for republicans...Jail for democrats

WTF, is wrong with that picture?

[LynneSin]

3. He's an Alaskan Republican - it's the norm

[Kalifornia.Kid]

4. Don't expect any justice here - "Snow always covers the dirt in Alaska"

[Tempest]

5. The trial is in Washington, D.C.

Far away from the conservative corruption that makes up Alaskan politics.

I predict a guilty verdict.

[sallyseven]

7. I hope your right.

He is a first call bastard. Didn't the same bunch build Sarah's house. I read it not more than a few weeks ago. Just a little in the Main stream news.

[yellowcanine]

6. Did Stevens blame it on the internet tubes? Maybe that is how the chair got there.

Came in via one of the tubes.

[cosmic _mind]

8. his explanations are nonsense?

that's shocking considering his clear and intelligent explanation of the internet...
the real explanation is surely stuck in a tube somewhere, waiting for a dump truck.

[PatSeg]

9. "The price is always right when it's free" !

And that line is "priceless"!

[Winterblues]

10. Stevens is quite clairvoyant.

He is caught on tape saying what they were doing might cost him a bunch of money in legal fees and by golly it did, and he also said he might have to spend some time in jail. Why I wonder would he think he may have to spend some time in jail if he did nothing wrong...

[SILVER__FOX52]

11. Are there twelve people...

in alaska which can actually accept the truth about this old blow hard ??? and are they all on this jury ??

[SILVER__FOX52]

12. Opps....

I forgot this trial is not in Alaska.