Here we go. Ted Stevens’ lawyers have been busy, and they will soon file a motion seeking a new trial for Alaska’s outgoing senior senator. His recent trial which found him guilty on seven felony counts on failure to disclose gifts and home renovations on his Senate Disclosure Forms was fraught with…weirdness, for lack of a better term. A witness being sent back to Alaska early by the prosecution, evidence being withheld from the defense, a juror having violent outbursts and other jurors trying to vote her off the island, another juror fabricating a story of her own father’s death and skipping town to watch a horse race, a key witness coming forward and admitting he committed perjury and stating that the prosecution showed him documents he wasn’t supposed to see, the same witness revealing a supposed contract on his life from the star witness for the prosecution… If this were the plot of a legal thriller, we’d advise the author to tone it down a bit and make it believable. But real life, as it often happens, is stranger than fiction.
Stevens, who was defeated in a bid for a seventh full term, will ask Judge Emmet Sullivan to overturn his conviction on seven federal corruption counts for failing to disclose more than $250,000 in improper gifts.
Stevens’ defense team raised numerous objections to the Justice Department’s handling of his corruption trial, arguing that the government deliberately withheld potentially exculpatory information and witnesses during the proceedings.
In addition, a prosecution witness, David Anderson, said he was coached by prosecutors on his testimony prior to his appearance as the final government witness, and unofficially promised immunity for himself and his family and friends if he took the witness stand. Prosecutors have vehemently denied Anderson’s allegations. A hearing on Anderson’s claims, laid out in a letter to Judge Sullivan, will be the subject of a hearing next month.
Stevens’ attorneys have not actually filed their request for a new trial yet, but are asking leave from the judge to submit a lengthy motion, one that exceeds local court rules on how long such a document can be.
“The trial in this case took an entire month and gave rise to numerous legal disputes, including motions, evidentiary objections, and juror issues,” Stevens’ attorneys wrote. “The many legal issues cannot adequately be briefed within the local rule’s presumptive 45-page limit. Sen. Stevens accordingly requests this page-limit extension to address the many grounds for a new trial and to preserve these issues in the event of a potential appeal.”
So whatever the reasons the defense will give for asking for a new trial, we know that it will be more than 45 pages worth. My guess is that it will be a LOT more than 45 pages. And it will undoubtedly be a good read, if you’re in to that sort of thing. I’ve been saving a good bottle of wine…
Mudflats 
First?
Runner-up 🙂
Frankly, I don’t give a rat’s rear end about what happens to Stevens. His corrupt senate career is over, and that is the most important thing for Alaskans and the country. Ultimately, I do believe in the ultimate justice of kharma.
Big bummer about Chambliss. Now there is a true scumbag. Can’t wait to see what kharmic justice comes his way some day…
Why do losers always want a “do-over”?
He’s going to burn through some attorney fees, I hope. Since he doesn’t like spending his own money, I wonder if campaign funds are still paying the attorney bills? As Helen would say, it’s time for Ted Stevens to sit down and shut up. He and Palin are making us a global-wide laughingstock.
I just want the Anchorage airport name to be decided – the drama just keeps going on. Just call it the Seven Felony Anchorage airport and be done with it.
Well, well. Where does the money come from to have this trial?
What goes around comes around…let it spin and see if, this time, the endless web of Stevens’ shenanigans is tied to SP. Pass the popcorn!
It is a HUGE bummer about Chambliss. Scumbag is almost endearing compared to the title I’d like to bestow on Saxby.
AKM,
Has there been any news about the judge’s hearing with Anderson, the bizarre witness? I would like to know what transpired-
Surely no one doubted that Steven’s attorneys would file to overturn the verdict, file for a new trial, file for everything and anything…I really hope he is not exonerated. Actually, I really hope the presiding judge throws the whole lot of them (Stevens, his attorneys, the weird juror, Anderson, some of the prosecutors) in jail, and wipes his hands of the whole affair.
“Tenacious” does not do justice to Ted Stevens. I suppose he is fighting for his legacy. Going down in jail after such an exalted career . . . reputation ruined.
@CO Almost Native (11:32:00) :
As stated in the third paragraph of the indented stuff up there, there will be a hearing on the Anderson stuff next month. It was supposed to be on 1 Dec., but Judge Sullivan delayed it till next month, I would guess to allow everyone to file papers and all that stuff…
Sorry about the OT on Chambliss… My mail carrier didn’t learn not to bring up politics the first time I ripped him a new one for a slimy joke about Michelle Obama. Anyway, was gloating to me about giving his coworker a hard time about Chambliss’ win. Before the general election, his main thing in McCain’s favor was, of course, that his Vietman heroism… gag. So I called him on Chambliss’ treatment of Max Cleland. Oh gee, he didn’t know anything about that, or about Chambliss accusing Martin of being soft on crime against children, when Martin’s own child had been a victim of kidnapping. Gee, didn’t know anything about that, either. So I had to let him have it again, and told him he needed to be better informed. “Well,” he says, “I’m sure there are scummy people on both sides of the aisle…” I said we’re not talking in general here. We’re talking about a specific person and his despicable behavior, and he should not be in the US Senate! Argh! Last time, I apologized and brought cookies to smooth it over. Not this time! For crying out loud–there are just too many idiots in this world!
Sorry to rant…
“I just want the Anchorage airport name to be decided – the drama just keeps going on. Just call it the Seven Felony Anchorage airport and be done with it.”
lol, that reminds me, just how many projects are named after your Ted Stevens?
OT but I just saw this excellent ltr in the Juneau Empire:
Politicians running campaigns should resign from posts
Letter to the editor
I don’t know what other Alaskans think, but I think there ought to be a law which requires elected officials to resign from their current job if they are campaigning, more or less, full time for another job. Why should the government pay their salaries and other expenses when they aren’t working their job at all? In many cases, the current job seems to be just a salaried placeholder, while traveling and interviewing for “something better.”
Senators Barack Obama and John McCain campaigned essentially 24/7 for nearly two years, with government salaries of more than $170,000 a year, plus all campaign (and any other) expenses paid.
Similarly, Gov. Sarah Palin, without warning, disappeared from being governor of Alaska one day last September, was given a bunch of clothes on the National Republican Party’s dime and then traveled the United States (with her family) making canned speeches, media and TV appearances for two-plus months, with state salary and all expenses paid. And she has done mostly opportunistic photo-ops in Alaska and campaigning elsewhere since the election.
Is she back? Who knows? Who really cares? Compared to Senators Ted Stevens or even Don Young, Palin really hasn’t done anything yet for Alaska, except unseat Frank Murkowski. And now that she’s the apparent “savior” for the GDP in 2012, Alaskans may see less and less of her while she’s off making speeches and fostering her national political aspirations. Maybe Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell is up to the governor’s tasks? Who is managing Alaska?
I thought being governor was a full time job. And think about this: If Palin is re-elected in 2010, that would be about the time she would disappear from Alaska again to begin her campaign for the U.S. presidency. There ought to be a law!
Richard Hahn
Soldotna
“Tenacious” does not do justice to Ted Stevens. I suppose he is fighting for his legacy. Going down in jail after such an exalted career . . . reputation ruined.”
That’s another reminds me……just how many corrupt Ak politians are in prison? Maybe we could do a connect the dots to others, lol. I’ll have to check my state, there’s a good one, a rating for state corruption, lol.
Sue (11:28:04) :
Why do losers always want a “do-over”? 😳
——————————————
Probably, in order to convince themselves, they are in fact, LOSERS.
😯
Deuce 😈
Seven-Time Felon Airport! Way to go, ConvicTed! I can’t believe the botching.
Let’s hope AK doesn’t name anything after Slaughterhouse Sarah.
Also, did you read the Palin family will be hosting a christmas open house in Juneau Dec. 9th? 20,000 cookies. do ya think Bristol will be there? maybe someone will ask Sarah if she’s excited to be a grandma. Hope all who can go does and reports back. It’s her kiss up to Alaska time.
Isn’t it the Sarah Palin Sports Complex yet?
InJuneau
You simply must go to the Gov’s Open House and report back!!!
Part of a good ltr to the editor in the Juneau Empire:
Similarly, Gov. Sarah Palin, without warning, disappeared from being governor of Alaska one day last September, was given a bunch of clothes on the National Republican Party’s dime and then traveled the United States (with her family) making canned speeches, media and TV appearances for two-plus months, with state salary and all expenses paid. And she has done mostly opportunistic photo-ops in Alaska and campaigning elsewhere since the election.
Is she back? Who knows? Who really cares? Compared to Senators Ted Stevens or even Don Young, Palin really hasn’t done anything yet for Alaska, except unseat Frank Murkowski. And now that she’s the apparent “savior” for the GDP in 2012, Alaskans may see less and less of her while she’s off making speeches and fostering her national political aspirations. Maybe Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell is up to the governor’s tasks? Who is managing Alaska?
I thought being governor was a full time job. And think about this: If Palin is re-elected in 2010, that would be about the time she would disappear from Alaska again to begin her campaign for the U.S. presidency. There ought to be a law!
Richard Hahn
Soldotna
@ say no to palin in politics
Yes, I know – I like cookies. I like to go to those Christmas events at the Mansion every few years, but this year I just can’t stomach it. If my sister would join me, maybe? But we might barf everywhere. I don’t know how AKM does it – I guess it’s because the blogger instincts are strong and good and personal distaste can be set aside.
Martha Unalaska’s proposal for the Anchorage airport re-branding to Seven Felony Anchorage airport, struck me as both familiar (the seven mile bridge to Key West) and cumbersome.
Wouldn’t it be more elegant to simply call the airport “Seven Felony International”? Pretty soon everybody will know it as THE Anchorage airport, in the same way that people all over the world understand JFK to be New York’s airport.
@Grammy in PA (11:59:00) :
Yeah, we’ll prob. go ( 😦 ), but only because we know kids singing in the youth choir and want to support them…
I promise to report back, but I’m sure Bristol won’t be there, what with it being inadvisable to fly in a plane in the 8th+ month of pregnancy and all… 😉
Thanks for taking one for the team! Just keep thinking about what tidbits you’ll bring back to the rest of us, and it may be more fun than you think! 😎 AKM
InJuneau
I promise to report back, but I’m sure Bristol won’t be there, what with it being inadvisable to fly in a plane in the 8th+ month of pregnancy and all…
That’s true, and I’m sure Juneau doesn’t have as good a hospital as Wasilla either.
Alaska is going to have to keep Sarah under tabs from now on, feet to the fire gov……no more excuses or cover ups for you. Can’t have the limelight and privacy.
“Another Palin lie exposed: She DID NOT fire the chef, and, she spent most of her time out of the office”
From: “Kickin’ Ass and Takin’ Names”
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 23:09:36 -0700 (PDT)
“(Palin spokeswoman Meghan) Stapleton wouldn’t say exactly where
Alaska’s first family is right now, citing security reasons. But the
Palins will travel this summer, and spend time fishing, and plan to
return to Juneau this fall.”
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.politics/2008-09/msg00614.html
Though I’ve been an ardent proponent of naming the airport for Jay Hammond, another choice has occurred to me. How about CBC International? Still gives Ted some credit, but we don’t need to look at his name, and with each visit it would be a strong reminder to us to stay vigilant in the future.
InJuneau (11:42:56) :
Thanks! I should know better, and read carefully- how many times did I give my students that advice (sheesh).
Yes, yes (jumping up and down) someone/s go to the Open House!
OT- if you want a good laugh, read Helen’s newest…I couldn’t get the web address to copy, but she lets a defender of Palin have it, as does 100+ comments.
margaretandhelen.wordpress.com
I don’t suppose Juror #11 has much of chance of serving at the new trial–but maybe she can observe???
Man oh Man, you guys are gonna need to keep tight reins on this gov of your’s…….pay attention, she loves to sweep things under rugs and toy with getting her way, then blames Alaskans for spoiling her game. I think they got your number now Sarah……game on. (sorry for the off topic, but I missed this drama and suspect many others have also) $10,000 for 2 wks non work, lol…..she’s so fiscal. You guys have pretty good entertainment way up thar.
From: “Kickin’ Ass and Takin’ Names”
Sept.7, 08
“Yet another Palin scandal: She appointed a know sexual harasser to a job then paid him $10,000 in hush money”
When news broke that Palin would replace the fired state police commissioner with city police chief Chuck Kopp, a woman sent an email to Palin to warn her that the city had validated her sexual harassment
complaint against him. The complainant offered to show her files, but no one from Palin’s office contacted her before announcing Kopp’s appointment the following day. The governor’s office confirmed that
Palin did receive the email…………………
On July 22, Palin tried to quell the media firestorm by stating that the sexual harassment charges were never “substantiated,” which she should know because she had reviewed the sexual harassment complaint.
LOL, that same day, Kopp held another press conference where he admitted that the city officially issued a letter of reprimand which told him to never hug or touch employees.
A couple days later, Palin states that she did not learn about the reprimand letter until Kopp’s press conference. However, Kopp stated that Palin’s office knew of this harassment complaint since 2006 when
he was named to her transition team, but that this case and the letter of reprimand was not raised with him when he was interviewed for the commissioner position.
(a lot more of the story at this link)
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.politics/2008-09/msg00618.html
The trial was a bit funky and I am a lawyer who used to try criminal cases in
D. C. at the beginning of my career. Usually the trial judge is not going to reverse himself and order a new trial having failed to grant a mistrial during the proceedings. However, the appellate court is another matter.
There is actually something to the claim that the jury was biased. In D. C. you get mostly black juries due to the composition of the District which is 75% black. Those whites you do get tend to be Democrats, so when you have something that is politically charged such as this, the prosecution has a built in advantage. I also tried federal cases in northern Virginia which was the other way around.
Now that Ted is no longer a Senator, there might be some compassion shown so he doesn’t have to do time. What the heck? What, after all, would Obama do?
Mike In Illinois (13:03:52) :
Now that Ted is no longer a Senator, there might be some compassion shown so he doesn’t have to do time. What the heck? What, after all, would Obama do?
————————————————————–
I’m sure Ted Stevens will be made all manner of offers, but I’m not sure which kind of offer he would accept.
Oh Lord I am not surprised but I have to say Ted is becoming a trial!
@Grammy in PA (12:04:46) :
Actually, I think the hospital in Juneau is prob. better than the one in Wasilla, though not than the ones in Anchorage. Oh wait, the Palins don’t go to the ones in Anchorage; silly me… 😉
AKM–you’re welcome, but I’m not sure it’ll be more fun than I think. I am looking forward to hearing the kids sing though, and it’s nice to have the holiday lights back up on the House, as they brighten up the winter evenings. Word is that the former chef’s recipes will be used by some caterer to make the cookies, but they’ll never be as good as hers!
I am really curious to read the ‘Anderson Tapes’. Shame it has been put back. The little snippets that were trickling out sounded absolutely thrillerish.
The Feds were saying they had proof of conspiracy (I think), something about the letter being posted on a three hour round trip, CCTV footage, a disappearing postal worker/possible witness.
Yes folks, as per usual with Alaskan politics, you just couldn’t make it up.
Off topic, but I thought those equally obsessed with SP as I am might be interested in this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/03/palin-files-disclosure-fo_n_148204.html
Looks like she’s trying to come clean before she gets the Uncle Ted treatment.
The good news is that Bush can’t pardon Stevens if he is seeking a new trial.
Apparently Sarah is fessing up to a few extra trips she took this spring. It was just a oversight…”not intentional.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_el_pr/palin_ethics_3;_ylt=AqlVUAkE_HLEQq57dKD76o1YRJ54
@Freakout
You must have read my mind.
I love that SP is being allowed these little “slips” since it wasn’t her fault that the disclosures weren’t made…it was the travel staff. Couldn’t Stevens use the same argument?
phoebe – Good point…will Stevens take a chance in court or will he wait for that possible pardon?
$10,000 for two weeks work; nine weeks vacation. She is really a thoughtful employer isn’t she?
InJuneau, please go on “cookie” day and get the real scoop for us. As AKM said, it may be more fun than you think!
@libbs
Alaska is changing & people are getting fed up with all these paybacks. He isn’t getting any younger….if it were me at 84 I’d go for the pardon, but I think Ted is a delusional stubborn old cuss & will spend the rest of his life in court.
OT
Chambless credits Sarah
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/chambliss_palin_won_me_the_election/
@phoebe
I agree with you…he will go down fighting this one, I’m afraid. Does the State pick up his legal fees?
@libbs (14:27:04) :
I don’t think we get stuck with that legal bill. I’m pretty sure he (or someone on his behalf) is paying those bills.
Has there been a date set for the Levi-Bristol nuptials? Surely they’ll want to tie the knot before Jesus’ birthday.
phoebe (13:59:34) :
Apparently Sarah is fessing up to a few extra trips she took this spring. It was just a oversight…”not intentional.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_el_pr/palin_ethics_3;_ylt=AqlV
_________
It looks like Grifter Spice is back at it.
“I took a buncha trips, hauled around my kids so they weren’t in school, and ooops! I forgot. Maybe that’s when Bristol got pregnant with her first kid. But really, I have executive experience. I’ve just surrounded myself with my friends from school and my neighborhood. We really do know what we’re doing. Spending money on redecoratin’ and such. Who needs heatin’ oil? It’s overrated, or overheated or I’ll get back at ya. Too, also and progress it some more.”
Why is AK just letting this truant governor get away with all this BS?
@chascates (14:41:48) :
Last time anyone made any comment on that, they were saying that the wedding is planned for next summer some time.
At first, I was going to vote for “sick of Ted” because I AM.
But then I thought a new trial brings the opportunity for a new plea agreeement and maybe, just maybe, ol’ Uncle Ted would be willing to drop a dime on his former foundation chair and help put Sarah behind bars in his place… so I changed my vote to “pass the popcorn” and have fingers crossed!
(Obviously, I will have to uncross them to actually EAT the popcorn, but that comes later 😉 )
oh that bill, he’s a piece of work and seems to be getting an attitude. (I must have missed this AP news release last month?)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/03/palin-files-disclosure-fo_n_148204.html
“Palin Files Disclosure For 2007 Free Trips, Finally”
Bill McAllister, the governor’s spokesman, said this week that the mistakes were made by travel support staff. He said he could not explain the timing of when and how they were caught, but that it was irrelevant because the error was corrected.
also duly noted
*Palin accepted lodging for herself and her three daughters at Mt. Chilkoot Lodge
*Palin and her 7-year-old daughter, Piper, to attend various functions, including a whaling festival in the town of Barrow.
*Palin and husband Todd also received travel, food and lodging valued at $4,620.12 to attend a Republican Governors Association event in Texas this was the trigg birth-day trip
*Palin’s April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., to attend a four-day conference, according to her report. (a nonprofit education policy group) so my question is, does this apply or get applied to what she’s working on? like 4 days gov work or mini vacation?
libbs (14:02:39) :
I love that SP is being allowed these little “slips” since it wasn’t her fault that the disclosures weren’t made…it was the travel staff.
Since SP is Governor/Head Honcho/The One in Charge, shouldn’t she be held responsible for these “oops”? And doesn’t she have to reimburse the state for these trips?
It will be interesting to see what action/s the Alaskan Legislature takes when it resumes in January: roll over so SP can scratch its collective belly, or bite her on the butt? I know Alaska has many pressing issues that need to be addressed, but if they can’t demand that the Governor play by the rules…
InJuneau: Thanks. I guess it is a little chilly now for a proper hoedown. Although Todd & Sarah eloped to, what was it, save money? And 8 months later . . .
BTW and OT-
I checked out the web site for the Susan B. Anthony List; it is a pro-life/anti-abortion PAC pushing for Sarah Palin. I find their choice of names ironic, as Susan B. Anthony was not only fighting for womens sufferage, but she strongly opposed the church’s view on abortion- she was for choice and privacy.
They should have done their homework…
@chascates (14:52:39) :
Yeah…
@CO Almost Native (15:01:25) :
No kidding they should have done some homework. I saw that name in connection with her over on the Forum and thought “what the heck?” (or something like that!).
CO Almost Native (14:52:18):
Since SP is Governor/Head Honcho/The One in Charge, shouldn’t she be held responsible for these “oops”? And doesn’t she have to reimburse the state for these trips?
Yes, she should be held responsible…I’m counting on the Alaska Legislature to do their jobs…but I’m not holding my breath on that one.
You know, Sarah really is very fiscally responsible. She isn’t spending ANY of her OWN money at all. Her own little nest egg is probably pretty substantial. Now, spending other peoples’ money…that is a different story. Of course, she will report those “gifts” YEARS later, but since she came forward with the information of her own accord, who cares if she is a teeny weeny bit late?
I’m thinking Stevens should just go ahead and file those disclosure reports again. Maybe, he too will be forgiven?
I voted for Pass the Popcorn.
IThere’s gotta be a lot more dirt to be uncovered on the top Replicants in Alaska.
I’ve heard there are still plenty of frozen prehistoric Oliphant bones buried across the tundra.
Maybe the DNA will be used to clone a hairy Oliphant pup, and we could caption its picture as Masta Don Young.
good one Bigslick, lol……..here’s another chuckle……
http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/
Palin and “All the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names”
Why does he insist on a new trial, would they do this for someone who isnt a politician. I am constantly amazed at how much the politicians put themselves above us.
new trial, we need new leaders!
libbs (15:08:46)
You know, Sarah really is very fiscally responsible. She isn’t spending ANY of her OWN money at all. Her own little nest egg is probably pretty substantial. Now, spending other peoples’ money…that is a different story. Of course, she will report those “gifts” YEARS later, but since she came forward with the information of her own accord, who cares if she is a teeny weeny bit late
heh heh…very funny:)
InJuneau (15:04:21) :
We thought the same what the @#!!&*! heck, you betcha (wink wink).
I read this in the huffington post, the one thing I notice is that she, like Stevens ISNT RESPONSIBLE, it isnt her fault, didnt stevens say this about,, his wife kept track? Now we find palin saying, it is the due to Administration error, not hers. So, now that it came out 2 years later we are supposed to think more of her.
True Justice works in funny ways sometimes. To me, this trial seemed like it was, as Mudflats said, just plain weird. A whole lot or irregularities. EVERY person who is tried deserves to have NO irregularities. This case was loaded with them.
The defendant is 85 years old. Which is better, having him fed 3 square meals a day in a federal pen, playing bridge, and getting top notch medical care, OR, stressing out every single day while his money dwindles to a mere nothing and he gets no rest and no peace?????
banjobailey (16:44:04) :
One small problem: ex-Senator Stevens gets a nice fat pension for life, because the Senate Ethics Committee left a loophole in their rules big enough to drive Steven’s remodeled house through. I hope he has to spend every penny of it every year, appealing this case…
Well, at least we know there are some lawyers in DC who can look forward to steady work despite the economy.
mysteri (16:06:17) wrote:
Why does he insist on a new trial, would they do this for someone who isnt a politician.
Given the sheer number of irregulaties in this trial- yes. This is just mind-boggling. Were this one of my clients I would be doing the same thing as Uncle Ted’s attorney. I can tell Mike in IL would do so and I hope any criminal defense attorney would. Those who wouldn’t- well, you wouldn’t want to hire them or have them appointed to represent you either.
Whether you think Ted is innocent, a scum-sucking bottom feeder, or even worse, say on the level of SWWNBN, he – as does anyone charged with a crime, deserves a fair trial. Fair trials are the cornerstone of the US justice system. Maybe someday SWWNBN will have her shot at one…
And in case you’re wondering, I want the guy to have a fair trial, be found guilty and have no grounds fo appealing the verdict. I’m tired of him.
CO Almost Native, you make my point: maybe he WILL have to spend, and certainly he will because he’s guilty as sin, have to spend every single dime for the rest of his life – not to mention every single thinking moment his brain has to offer anyone anywhere about anything. Now, THAT is a punishment.
Bush will pardon Uncle Ted; got that legacy to think of
Did the Governess claim the $300 from CNBC for her winter wear? I hate it when I’m in Anchorage and forgot my coat and boots.
Yes, yes – go to the Juneau party, open all the closets and find where she keeps her broom (short range transport).
@Dragon Lady (17:54:12) :
Unfortunately, they don’t allow anyone upstairs into the “living” quarters, as if anyone was actually living there…
I don’t think anyone really gives a crap anymore about ole’ Ted Stevens, he was found guilty by a jury of his peers and whether he faces jail time or not is up the judge. What matters in all of this bullshit with him is who is going to pay for a new trial of lawyers to defend him? His own personal bank account or that of the tax payers? Does the ole’ crooked bastard have huge amounts of money tucked away from other payoffs to pay for another team of lawyers? I would have thought he had used his life savings up with the previous team of lawyers.
Why did you fail to add a voting button that says what many of us feel?
“I don’t care to see Stevens do time but I’m glad he’s finally out of office.”
What he did wouldn’t likely get him charged in Alaska let alone convicted. If six big government welding contracts go to one company in Califonia, you can bet someones pockets are being lined. In Alaska it just means we only have one big welding company. We all knew Stevens had a lifetime of “chummy” relations with oil companies. I didn’t vote for him, but a lot of Alaskans did.