[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/04/01/stevens.case.dropped/art.stevens.gi.jpg caption="Former Sen. Ted Stevens, 85, of Alaska lost his re-election bid in November."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Justice Department asked a federal court Wednesday to "set aside the verdict and dismiss the indictment" in the corruption case against former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, court documents show.
Stevens, 85, was convicted in October on seven counts of lying on mandatory financial disclosure forms.
Stevens hid "hundreds of thousands of dollars of freebies" he received from an oil field services company and its CEO, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Matthew Friedrich said.
Many of the alleged free services were given as part of a renovation of Stevens' Alaska home.
Stevens maintained his innocence even after the conviction, and his sentencing has been delayed amid charges by an FBI agent of prosecutorial misconduct.
Another corrupt politician gets away with breaking the law...when will it ever end?
This OLD FART is still a CROOK and everyone in Alaska better start voting these crooks out of office before they suck them dry!! Mr. Stevens is NOT innocent here, they just wanted him out of office and he's OUTTA HERE!!
I wouldn't trust this old geezer, he abused the system and has been doing so for decades. Americans are NOT STUPID, politicians always claim their "innocent" even as their hands are in the cookie jar!! Politicians who have been "cheating the system" start believing they are "above the law". GREED is the root of evil and Sen. Ted Stevens is as GREEDY as they come. He thought that because he's been in office longer than anyone else that he's above reproach. NOT!!
The guy is so old and has served his Country and State in such a way he should be honored for his service. As long as his archaic mind is no longer in a position to influence policies I have no problems if they completely drop everything and let the guy live out the rest of his life with some dignity. I believe we owe him that much.
Want more details on this story before commenting.
This is an April Fools joke, right?
I don't want the old man to go to jail, but I think the message needs to be conveyed that the public is sick and tired of these pay to play shenanigans.
yes! I happy for Mr Stevens
I think the Justice Department should recall Sen Stevens to be the senator for Alaska. They should make last elections invalid because these charges have affected his re-election.
Perhaps it was all just a big April Fool. They should have said if you admit everthing we will let is slide. Does this mean he can get his seat back?
A convicted felon with the virdect set aside,and dismissed. Is washington ever going to change? Please, someone please tell me, is there something so very wrong with this?
I am a 25-year resident of Alaska. Corruption has been rampant in Alaska for over 30 years now, more so since the Alaska oil pipeline was built. Senator Stevens has been at the heart of this corruption. He was declared guilty by a jury. For the justice department to set aside this verdict and dismiss this indictment is sending the wrong message to our legislators in Alaska and across the country. How else are we going to stop this kind of corruption if we don't prosecute and hold responsible those that break the rules, even powerful people like Stevens. If the court decides to dismiss jail time, due to Senator Stevens age, it is one thing, but Senator Steven is guilty of far more than what he was convicted of.
But then you will not be able to refer to this case as "justice."
April fools!!!
I've got a couple of better ideas:
1. Keep the verdicts intact and start the proscutions of the Cabinet Members who can't figure out how to pay their taxes.
2. Start the investigation into the Sub-Prime Mortgage Mess.
3. Start the investigation into ACORN voter registration fraud.
4. Start enforcing the Drug and Immigration Laws that are already on the books.
OR
1. Give Stevens his Senate seat back.
This guy is guilty as sin of being a sleazeball at least.
why? why? why? Oh yes I know I live in a corrupt country . I wish Madonna would adopt me and take me away from all of this.
if he is innocent, what happen to those previous prosecutor. sleep in the switches
Regardless of what he did, the prosecution hid evidence it was required to give to the defense.
Game over................