Senator Ted Stevens Found Guilty

[WSJ_law_blog]

Just in: Senator Ted Stevens was found guilty on seven counts of lying on Senate financial documents. Stevens, 84, faced charges that he accepted and failed to report more than $250,000 in gifts. Here’s the AP report.

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WASHINGTON -- A federal jury found Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens guilty Monday of accepting and concealing tens of thousands of dollars in free home renovations and other gifts, a felony conviction that may spell the end of the powerful Republican's political career.

Sen. Stevens's conviction on all seven counts boosts Democrats' hopes of capturing his seat in next week's election and achieving a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the Senate. The 84-year-old senator is seeking his eighth Senate term against Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage.

Senate Democrats have poured more than $2.2 million into the contest, drawing attention to the corruption case with a stream of television ads.

Sen. Stevens is the fifth sitting senator to be convicted of a crime. In a statement, the senator said he will "fight this unjust verdict" and criticized what he called "prosecutorial misconduct." Sen. Stevens said he remains a candidate for the Senate.

If he is elected but later steps down, his successor would be chosen by special election under Alaska state law.

As the jury foreman announced a guilty verdict on the first count, Sen. Stevens bowed his head and was consoled by his lawyers. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Matthew Friedrich, speaking outside the courthouse, said the Justice Department's years-long investigation into political corruption in Alaska continues, "as does our commitment to holding elected officials accountable when they violate our laws."

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Stevens Convicted of All Charges - WSJ.com