Senator Ted Stevens finally indicted

Published on July 29th, 2008

A federal grand jury has indicted longtime Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, on charges of failing to disclose receiving gifts of services and construction work as part of a wide-ranging corruption inquiry involving public officials and corporations in his home state. The indictment accuses Mr. Stevens of failing to report on his financial disclosure forms receiving gifts of more than $250,000 — in labor and construction materials — from Veco Corp…

The 84-year-old senator has been running for re-election this year while he was under investigative scrutiny, a matter that had not gone unmentioned by Democrats. His opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, has been campaigning hard against the longest-sitting Republican member of the Senate, and Democrats have been touting this race as among its most competitive this year.

Mr. Stevens was first appointed to the Senate in 1968, and has served nearly six full terms. He also had been a United States Attorney in the 1950’s.

Federal officials said they did not know whether Mr. Stevens would surrender to authorities here or in Alaska for an arraignment.

He’s one of the most outstanding examples of corruption and cronyism that characterizes Congress.

41 users responded in " Senator Ted Stevens finally indicted "

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# 1 moss said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:04 am

It’s reasonable to inquire of the leadership of the Republican Party why they have remained so devoted to this scumbag?

# 2 Improbus said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:04 am

I simply can’t resist.

HA! HA!

# 3 bobbo said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am

With Bushies politicized justice department, the evidence against the guy must be overwhelming.

How is it going for Tom deLay?

Everyone else in leadership?

They really are all scum.

# 4 wbskeet37 said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am

#1 They couldn’t just throw him out. After all he taught them all about the tubes…

# 5 KwadGuy said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:22 am

Good riddance to bad trash. That said, the Democratic party is also chock-a-block filled with scumbags. Padding the pockets of your friends and yourself is apparently an equal opportunity project on the Hill. I’d throw all the bums out and start anew.

Before one Democrat chimes in with “oooh those bad bad Republicans…this wouldn’t happen under OUR watch…” why don’t you tell me what’s going on with William “Refrigerator” Jefferson. What? He’s still in congress and still getting committee appointments? Interesting. How about Harry Reed and all his amazing land deals? Or Dodd…who is either the dumbest guy in the Senate “I didn’t know that everyone wasn’t getting 30 year mortgages at 4% or that everyone didn’t talk to the president of the company I help regulate when applying” or else is the biggest crook “we need to spend billions to help bail out my friends in the mortgage industry.”

It’s great that they are finally bringing Stevens down. Now if they could just take care of all the rest of the thieves.

# 6 Personality said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:27 am

Don’t worry all. Bush will pardon him.

# 7 MikeN said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:37 am

1 down, how many to go? Cochran, Lott, Shelby, Kennedy, Clinton, Reid, any others?

# 8 ethanol said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am

Sweet Justice….

# 9 The Monster's Lawyer said, on July 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am

#9 James – Did he ever get that pesky ‘internet’ to open? I don’t think he’s going anywhere until he can?

# 10 Hmeyers said, on July 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

It’s futile, really.

# 11 Ivor Biggun said, on July 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Funny how Repubs will throw their own under the bus in a heartbeat, while democrats will defend murderers, thieves and other scum (William Jefferson D-LA, etc.) until the cows come home.

# 12 The Monster's Lawyer said, on July 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

#13 Jimmy – Who the fuck is Rush Limbaugh?

# 13 Mister Mustard said, on July 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

#7 – Lyin’ Mike

There’s a difference between “guys Lyin’ Mike didn’t vote for and dosen’t like” and criminals.

Criminals go to jail. Guys Lyin’ Mike didn’t vote for and doesn’t like and usually go on to become national icons heroes, like many of the ones you listed.

Get the distinction, son?

# 14 Jetfire said, on July 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

It’s not just Republicans. Check out what happened in Ohio today.

“FBI searches county offices in Cleveland”
http://tinyurl.com/65fdtm

“A spokesman for the FBI says federal agents in Ohio have served at least 10 search warrants at the homes and offices of Cuyahoga County officials as part of a public corruption investigation.”

http://tinyurl.com/6fokcd

“The raids carried out Monday by FBI and IRS agents at the homes and offices of Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and County Auditor Frank Russo, as part of a public-corruption investigation, make it clear that things are far from well in the administrative offices of Ohio’s largest county”

Their Democrats FYI.

# 15 Angel H. Wong said, on July 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

He couldn’t get away with everything because there’s not enough illegal immigrants up there to pass the blame.

# 16 GregAllen said, on July 29th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

If the longest serving Democrat in the Senate were indicted, the Republican would beat us over the head for a decade.

But the Dems? They’ll let go of this in no time.

# 17 MikeN said, on July 29th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Nottoo long ago, Ted Stevens was an icon too.

# 18 Dallas said, on July 29th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Let’s start taking the Republipukes in one by one. There is no place to hide after Obama, our nations savior and chosen one.

Bush has no choice but to flee to a nation without an extradition agreement with the US but time is running out for him. Hiding in a church will only get him a few more weeks.

# 19 edwinrogers said, on July 29th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

Small bananas. Quarter mill of comp building work on a home in Alaska, can’t be reasonable cause for indictment. Censure, maybe, temporary loss of House privileges, maybe too, ruining a lifetime’s reputation of loyalty to his State, no, that’s going too far, even for a bitter liberal like me.

# 20 xwing said, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

3 words, ‘About Freakin’ Time!”

# 21 gquaglia said, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Ted Stevens, Poster boy for why we need term limits in Congress.

# 22 doug said, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

#22. no such thing as a little corruption. I know – I live in Illinois. The only thing to do is hammer the ones you catch so hard that the rest think twice about even starting.

I love the “Well, uh, everybody does it!” defense from the resident so-called conservatives. c’mon you law-and-order types, lets see a little of that “lock em’ up and throw away the key!” stuff.

# 23 MikeN said, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

>Obama, our nations savior and chosen one.

Listen to me, people of the Earth! Today I bring a New Order to your planet! One which shall last until the end of time!

Each of you… each man, each woman, each child – all will march proudly together in this New Order! Your lands, your homes, your possessions, your very lives… All of this and more you will gladly give to me!

There is no longer a need for separate nations in this world, no need for petty squabbles between one group and another. All of you will work together, strive, produce, and sacrifice together – and all for a common goal!

It is useless for you to resist as it is for me to annihilate you. You will only bring death and destruction upon yourselves, while I will lose the potential products of your labour. There is now one law, one order, one ruler who alone will determine your collective destiny! One force before will all of you shall kneel forever! In return for this submission you will have my generous protection! In other words – you will be allowed to live.

I will not repeat myself again! There is no nation! Therefore there cannot be a monument to one! From this day forward – there is only Zod!

# 24 MikeN said, on July 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Whatever happened to Tom Delay’s indictment? It’s been years.

# 25 Olo Baggins of Bywater said, on July 29th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

#16 said: Their Democrats FYI.

Dude, that’s in tents.

# 26 Greg Allen said, on July 29th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

MikeN …you’re losing it.

Obama is no utopian new world order guy. He’s a politician.

My hope is that he’s an honest, inspiring leader with an optimistic, progressive view of government coupled with some fiscal reality.

The conservatives ARE SO NOT THAT and our country is in the crapper because of it.

# 27 Paddy-O said, on July 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

#29 “My hope is that he’s an honest, inspiring leader with an optimistic, progressive view of government coupled with some fiscal reality.”

I’ll translate the double speak:

a)progressive view of government = More huge, inefficient social programs.

b)some fiscal reality = Massive & crushing tax increases during a recession that will further depress economy.

# 28 QB said, on July 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

#30 Funny

a) Too late, Republicans got that covered

b) You’re paying more through hidden taxes than your were 6 years

Translation, they are all useless. At this point I think most Americans would settle for “not embarrassing”.

# 29 Paddy-O said, on July 29th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

#31 True.

# 30 QB said, on July 29th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Apologies for the bad grammar. Note to self: don’t watch for unit test errors while posting.

# 31 Mr. Fusion said, on July 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

#22, edwin,

Small bananas. Quarter mill of comp building work on a home in Alaska, can’t be reasonable cause for indictment.

Try reading the article.

The indictment accuses Mr. Stevens of failing to report on his financial disclosure forms receiving gifts of more than $250,000 — in labor and construction materials — from Veco Corp.

… at the same time that construction and architectural work was being done by Veco Corp. executives and employees on Mr. Stevens’ home in Girdword, the corporation was seeking assistance on business-related matters.

That amounts to open bribery.

Censure, maybe, temporary loss of House privileges, maybe too, ruining a lifetime’s reputation of loyalty to his State, no, that’s going too far, even for a bitter liberal like me.

This is a criminal charge, a felony. It isn’t an internal Senate rules violation.

# 32 Paddy-O said, on July 29th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

“This is a criminal charge, a felony. It isn’t an internal Senate rules violation.”

Looks like hard time to me.

# 33 James Hill said, on July 29th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

LMAO – You guys really are thick. Not only is he staying out of jail, he’s going to get reelected. As a former resident of Alaska, this makes perfect sense: The federal government owns a good deal of the state, so they need to send the state a disproportionate amount of money (to some, pork) compared to the other states.

If you don’t want that to happen, I’m sure Begich.com wouldn’t mind $5 of your money. He’s not a bad guy, despite being a lib.

# 34 MikeN said, on July 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

He hasn’t been indicted for bribery, but for not disclosing the bribery!

# 35 Glenn E. said, on July 29th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

The Alaskans voters don’t care that he’s corrupt. He didn’t steal their money. Or cheap their state out of taxes. He’s only brought them more tax dollars than they deserve. That bridge to nowhere, probably would have made them happy, cause it would have provided some construction jobs. You can bet the senator always looked out for his voters’ interest. While screwing the rest of the country’s taxpayers. So don’t expect Alaskans to get religion and vote him out of office. He’d have to turn gay or something, before they’d do that.

# 36 lou said, on July 29th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

This guy is an Ahole.
Hope they lock him up for the rest of his life.
I hear the tossed salad in jail is a real treat.

# 37 Bryan P. Carney said, on July 30th, 2008 at 2:52 am

#16 I agree that what is happening in Cleveland, my home, is bigger, in terms of the number of involved officials and total kickbacks, than this Stevens’ ordeal.

Cleveland, like other towns, has been controlled by the Democratic machine/Labor Union boys for fifty years. As a member of a visible Irish family, myself, I know I could get a county job tomorrow by calling in family favors. Russo, Dimora, Pumper, Cimperman, Mason, and Kelly are all names that will grace coming features.

As a scoop: This story involves arson (Cimperman’s residence which burned to the ground an hour before the raid), drugs and money laundring (Russo and Dimora), prostitution (Russo, Dimora, all the other good ol’ boys), and a whole shitload of anger over the mortgage scam perpetrated by Russo and the rest.

Oh, Cleveland was supposed to have a MedicalMart. We don’t. We now have the poorest city and anrgy taxpayers. I will relish actually being able to vote for new blood.

# 38 Mr. Fusion said, on July 30th, 2008 at 5:20 am

It never fails. A top Republican goes down and all the wing nuts start crying about corrupt the Democrats are.

For once I would really like the wing nuts to accept that their party has a greater potential for corruption than do Democrats. Not because they are worse people, but because they have held the reins of power so long.

And I hope ANY corrupt official, Democrat or Republican, is punished with jail time.

# 39 Billy Bob said, on July 30th, 2008 at 9:03 am

#24, Right on!
It seems like the longer a person is in Congress, the mushier their brain gets.
And their morals.

# 40 the answer said, on July 30th, 2008 at 9:25 am

Fry you old coot fry!!

# 41 MikeN said, on July 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

>It never fails. A top Republican goes down and all the wing nuts start crying about corrupt the Democrats are.

Well, the Republican Senate Campaign Committee has withheld its support. This is the same committee that interfered in primaries in favor of Arlen Specter and Lincoln Chafee. Let’s see how much the Democrats withhold support? They have Ted Kennedy in power despite his committing murder. Former Klansman Robert Byrd talking about white niggers on TV, and they praise him as perfect for any time in history.

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