Breaking: GOP Sen. Ted Stevens indicted by federal grand jury; Update: Failed to disclose “gifts”
posted at 1:18 pm on July 29, 2008 by Allahpundit
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On seven charges, although we won’t know the specifics until 1:20 ET. Anyone want to try guessing? There’s no shortage of possibilities: This is, after all, the pork king of the United States Senate, dogged for years by allegations of corruption. Longtime HA readers will remember that the feds raided his home last summer allegedly as part of an investigation into bribes. Does the indictment stem from that, or is there some new and even more depressing graft charge forthcoming? Stay tuned!
He’s not the only Alaskan in Congress under suspicion, either. Three cheers for our fearless Republican leadership, which was either too stupid or too weak to push Stevens into retirement before he decided to run for re-election this year. (He’s 85.) A Rasmussen poll eight days ago put him eight points behind Democrat Mark Begich. What’ll it be tomorrow? Fifteen?
If only there was some young, popular Alaskan politician with a reputation for ethics reform that could step up. Any suggestions?
Update: McClatchy notes that this is part of a four-year probe into corruption among Alaska’s political class, so it’s not like the GOP was taken by surprise. Still waiting to hear about the charges, but USA Today suspects it’s related to the fact that Stevens’s home mysteriously doubled in size thanks to an oilfield services company called VECO, two former execs of which donated to Stevens and have since pled guilty to bribery and extortion charges.
Update: Yep, it’s VECO. How is this distinguishable from bribery?
The seven-count indictment, charges Stevens with making false statements by failing to disclose things of value he received from the Veco Corp., an Alaska-based oil services compmany, and from its CEO, Bill Allen, over an eight-year period.
The indictment charges that among the undeclared items were substantial improvements to Stevens’s home in Girdwood, Alaska; automobile exchanges in which he received new vehicles that were worth far more than the old ones he exchganged; and household goods, including a Viking gas grill.
At the same time, according to the indictment, Stevens received solicitations for official actions from Allen and and other Veco employees, and used his office on behalf of Veco.
Update: Good advice from Lowry, which I expect will be heeded.
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Oh I agree, but with that said, I know who I am NOT voting for. You think Young and Stevens are bad… God help us if this knucklehead gets elected.
veco, which is now Chem2Hill, has been around a while and have used the government to get where they were in the legal and oil field aspect as well as got good “contracts” for government bids. As i said, there is so much more to this then people know or care about. It is very sad.
upinak on July 29, 2008 at 4:25 PM
If he is found guilty, put him in jail for 30 years. Public corruption has to stop. It was this sort of corruption by Republicans that was a contributing factor to my changing my party from Republican to No Party Affiliation on the local voter rolls… not because I’m moving closer to becoming a Democrat but because my former party IS.
CC
CapedConservative on July 29, 2008 at 4:27 PM
When it comes to stuff like this ideology is not really the issue, ethics are the issue. It is not about conservative vs. liberal. It is too bad that Stevens did not resign years ago and let someone else in the Republican party run for and take that seat.
Terrye on July 29, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Good riddence and may they throw the bum underthe jail. The sooner we get our (or at least what used to be the conservative party) house cleaned, the sooner we can get back to basics.
serenity on July 29, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Gee, look at that. Another GOP politician, up for re-election, with indictments/news stories coming up just before election.
Mark Foley, call your office.
And who was the GOP guy that this happened to, where Obama wound up winning the election?
Ugh.
Note; none of this is in defense of Stevens, who is a complete loser.
Midas on July 29, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Why are the Republicans seemingly caught by surprise with these things? I have been hearing about Sen. Stevens’ possible problems for a while, why didn’t the leadership tell him to go? Same with Foley, apparently the leadership had been approached with some concerns but they just issued a slap on the wrist, if that, and continued to allow Mr. Foley to go along his merry way. Are they unaware that the Republican voters are not going to allow this behavior to be rewarded with re-election? These “representatives” may forget what is expected of Conservatives but the voters do not and I think we have proven it time and time again. So either these so called leaders get the message or we can all look forward to being always in the minority and eventually disappear. There must be someone out there willing to stand up for and live the life of an ethical person doing service for their nation rather than some power hungry idiot.
Cindy Munford on July 29, 2008 at 8:50 PM
He should resign and allow some
Republicanconservative run for that seat.SouthernGent on July 29, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Interesting. All sorts of libs are decrying Stevens’ actions, and most in the GOP are looking to see him go bye bye. Meanwhile, Cold Cash Jefferson is still in Congress.
William Teach on July 29, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Your daily links to liberal media spin on the Palin “scandal” are interesting.
If Gov. Palin doesn’t float your political boat, that’s fine. If you’ve got a favorite candidate, good for you. Maybe you’re a liberal. Don’t know, don’t care.
But as I said before, if a false accusation and biased media coverage can sink an honest politician w/ 80% approval ratings, we might as well quit right now and hand George Soros the keys to the Oval Office.
We should be standing up for Palin. Because the next time, my friend, it might just be your guy who gets smeared.
Mr. Wednesday Night on July 30, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Looks like Gov. Palin was way ahead of us.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/21/AR2007092101724.html
Mr. Wednesday Night on July 30, 2008 at 3:16 AM
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