Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury for various corruption charges today, July 29th 2008. He is a long-serving GOP Senator who is 84 years old and has represented the state in Washington for 40 years since 1968. See the news report on video below.
Read more from Politico here. The indictment is relating to possible corruption concerning his home in Alaska. Veco Oil company is alleged to have renovated his home and they are not quite sure how Senator Stevens paid them. He was indicted on seven counts of failing to disclose gifts and lying about them to investigators. He is the first sitting Senator under indictment in 15 years.
Democrats and Republicans are already coming to the defense of the powerful Senator. Senator Daniel Inouye (Democrat-Hawaii) said today that he believes Stevens to be innocent, although he is not surprised by the charges given the years-long investigation by the FBI. Regardless of how they feel about Ted Stevens, the indictment will require him to step down from the Senate Appropriations Committee as the GOP’s powerful senior member.
The indictment of Ted Stevens will not have much to do with the presidential race, although liberal bloggers are speculating it helps McCain. However, it may cause the McCain camp to think twice about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who Right Pundits understands is under strong consideration for the Republican ticket. There is something in politics to close associations, if only by proximity.
Still, she along with John McCain are noted for fighting political corruption, so there might be some unforseen benefits to highlighting this part of McCain’s presidential resume.
Ted Stevens Indictment (Video)
July 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
You forgot – “Authorities have announced that they will not rest until the entire Alaska Congressional Delegation is behind bars.”
Don Young might be next.
Still, she along with John McCain are noted for fighting political corruption
Ever hear of the Keating Five?
The real speculation begins now about Stevens’ seat. He trailed in the polls going into his reelection campaign in November. If he withdraws before September 18th, the GOP can name a replacement. If he decides to fight, he’s more than likely going to cost the Republicans the seat.
One would think that the Alaska GOP would go to him and tell him to step down, but who in the Alaska GOP “isn’t” under investigation right now?
July 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’ve never liked his pork-barrel spending arse any way. I have more about this over at right juris as well.
http://law.rightpundits.com/?p=45
July 29th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Goodness. Well chalk up Alaska for the Dems.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
He was disgusting even before this, and extremely arrogant and rude. He is 4th in line for president too.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Don Young should be next. That guy received plenty of favors from the very, very, very corrupt ex-governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Rossello, when he was trying to buy the statehood for the Island.