Longest-serving GOP Sen Ted Stevens indicted

Wednesday 30th July, 04:06 AM JST

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BillOreilly at 01:13 PM JST - 30th July

adaydream, Lets wait to see if this guy is convicted first. If i were to staright out say some Democrate was guilty before hes tried, the Liberals would scream and shout allegations of bias. Just a fair and balanced look at the matter
Betzee at 05:10 PM JST - 30th July

Hang on this man of honor, a servant to his nation is still innocent, remember that fact plaese.

Senator Stevens must be grateful for your lone voice of support. From what I've read, most Republicans are ready to throw him under the bus. This is the "bridge to nowhere" guy, after all, who brought them endless ridicule. Some suggest John McCain should even make a poster boy of him, to demonstrate he's not partisan or anything in his calls to clean up government and end this nasty business of "earmarks" and balance the budget.

But Senator Stevens will, following in the footsteps of his western state colleague Larry Craig who plead guilty a year ago to lewd conduct but withdrew his "intention to resign" after his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea failed, put self-interest ahead of the party's interest, never mind the country's. Innocent until proven guilty indeed.
Madverts at 08:07 PM JST - 30th July

Hey, at least it isn't another gay-sex or drug related (or both) Republican scandal like all the others we've seen of late. The party are probably glad this is just a potential honest to good money-grubbing scam.

And let's face it, when it comes to that, repubs are well qualified.
adaydream at 11:35 PM JST - 30th July

BillOreilly - Well scream and holler all you want. I'm just happy as a lark for this. After the Bill Clinton, republican search and destroy mission, it's been so refreshing to see the republicans take their falls.

After the republicans had covered up Mark Foley's actions till they were just too egregious was normal for the republicans. Now the FBI has nailed another republican for being on the take. Sure there is due process, I want it to take place. Then we have a good reason to lock him up. He can walk through the gate to atonement instead of across the bridge to nowhere.

As the kids say, "He going down." < :-)
SezWho2 at 11:44 PM JST - 30th July

I'm just wondering here how it is not relevant to point out that Stevens' indictment is unlikely to be the product of a liberal agenda in the Justice department, especially when the Justice Department is supposedly investigating itself to see whether it has an inappropriate conservative bias.

Yes, Stevens is innocent until found guilty, but that should apply to everyone and not just Stevens. Furthermore that is a construct of law and not one of public opinion. The public is under no obligation to reserve judgment. It is only under obligation not to impose and execute any sentences that are reserved to the courts. It would be perfectly fine, for example, not to vote for Stevens because you are convinced of his guilt--even absent a trial.
Betzee at 04:00 AM JST - 31st July

You are correct, SezWho. Ain't it a coincidence that, on the very day it is revealed that the Justice Department is under investigation for using political criteria to vet applicants, they announce an indictment of the senior Republican Senator, perhaps to demonstrate their lack of "bias"? And Republican strategists haven't even bothered to conceal their brainstorming on how this could be used to help John McCain.

I'm sure someone will be along to help shed some light. If not Bill O'Reilly then maybe el Rushbo. I mean 说曹操,曹操到...
taikan at 04:31 AM JST - 31st July

The indictment of Stevens is just the latest in a string of indictments (and guilty pleas) arising from an investigation into contributions and gifts of various types made by VECO and its executives to a number of Alaska state and federal office holders. Do not be surprised if Congressman Young (R - Alaska) is indicted in the future.

What is perhaps most interesting about the indictment of Stevens is that it does not include any bribery or tax evasion charges. Because those charges potentially could result in a longer prison term, the failure of the indictment to include them could mean that the government lacks sufficient evidence to bring those charges, or it could mean that the government is holding them over Stevens' head as a means of persuading him to quickly plead guilty to the "false statement" charges.
adaydream at 04:48 AM JST - 31st July

After 8 years of the republicans running roughshod, it's enlightening to see that republicans aren't all umbrellaed under this executive prilidge crap. After 8 years of democrat attorneys being fired for being democrats, this is sweet.

Hey, at the moment I don't care whether he's guilty. It's just another shot into the republican armor.

Sure SezWho2 and Betzee, I understand the guilty/innocent stuff. That's a given. But for those who have not decided which party to support or which candicate, this is a larger shadow of contriversay (sp).

I'm going to sit back and watch as these other investigations work their way through, then put my little spin on it, like the republicans do. < :-)
FairandBalanced at 04:54 AM JST - 31st July

adaydream, this man who has tirelessly given his lifetime making your life better is innocent.
adaydream at 06:21 AM JST - 31st July

Tell me what he's done to make my life better? He's done nothing for me, I assure you.

He's a criminal. He'll be found guilty. < :-)
Betzee at 09:12 AM JST - 31st July

What is perhaps most interesting about the indictment of Stevens is that it does not include any bribery or tax evasion charges.

Yes it does; failure to report income is tax invasion. The indictment is quite straight forward and a plea bargain is expected. An old man such as Stevens wouldn't survive even a short stint in the pen.
Triumvere at 12:09 PM JST - 31st July

The GOP is now debating when he should resign (before or after the senate election). That's WHEN, not IF.

Stevens is out, much respect for the Republicans for insisting on it.

Sarge & Co.: Please, there are so many Republicans with reputations deserving to be defended. Don't waste your time with this one.
JoeBigs at 09:26 PM JST - 31st July

If the man is corrupt then hang him to dry. If this is true then there should be more probes into who else has been taking cold cash for votes.

No I am not talking about campaign cash, I am talking about bribes like the ones mentioned in the indictment. Btw anyone check out that log cabin he got built? Real nice, hope it was worth it.

He does have some real odd ball ties.
taikan at 01:34 AM JST - 1st August

failure to report income is tax invasion

Betzee, I suggest you read the indictment. The only charges are for violations of Title 18, section 1001 of the US Code. That section prohibits the making of a materially false statement in connection with a matter under the jurisdiction of the government. A charge for income tax evasion would be based on a violation of Title 26, sections 7201, 7202 or 7203 (depending on the specific facts of the violation).
Betzee at 10:52 AM JST - 1st August

I cede to your greater expertise. I understood a "7 count indictment for failure to report gifts and income" to assume he had not reported it to the IRS.

What they did not charge him with was soliciting bribes, something much more difficult to prove. Even in cultures where bribery is the norm, it's done in a discreet way (such as leaving money or cigarettes or whatever within sight of the intended recipient). So I'm not surprised to see them going for charges which are easy to substantiate.