Former (Ted) Stevens Aide `Tried to Get Story to Go Away’ When Questions First Arose

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Former Stevens Aide `Tried to Get Story to Go Away’ When Questions First Arose
By Kathleen Hunter, CQ Staff


A former press secretary to Sen. Ted Stevens described in court Tuesday a reporter’s inquiry about the Alaska Republican’s acceptance of home improvements that he didn’t fully pay for.

“I tried to get the story to go away,” testified Courtney Boone, who had been senator’s press secretary.

The reporter who made that inquiry in 2004 later told the court that she dropped the story. After going back and force with Boone, “I closed the file and threw up my hands,” testified Heather Reicz of Wasilla, Alaksa.

Boone told the court Stevens was shocked at the suggestion he hadn’t paid for the changes to his house, and that he directed her to talk to his wife, Catherine.

“He said I would have to talk to Mrs. Stevens about it ... because she handled the work that was done on the house,” Boone testified.

Boone, who now works for U.S. Steel Corp., said she recalled telling the reporter she would not respond to claims from unnamed sources.

Boone also described feeling incredulous.

“Seriously, are you kidding, would have been my reaction,” Boone testified.

Boone testified that she hoped she could get the reporter to back off the story if she delayed her response.

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