Stevens off the hook
The federal government is voiding its case against former US Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK):
The Justice Department on Wednesday asked a federal judge to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.I thought it was an April Fools joke at first, but it's legit.A jury convicted Stevens last fall of seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends. Stevens was the longest-serving Republican in the Senate. However, he lost his bid for an eighth full term in office just days after he was convicted. Since then, charges of prosecutorial misconduct have delayed his sentencing and prompted defense motions for a new trial.
In a move first reported by NPR, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said he has decided to drop the case against Stevens rather than continue to defend the conviction in the face of persistent problems stemming from the actions of prosecutors.
"After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial," Holder said in a statement Wednesday. "In light of this conclusion, and in consideration of the totality of the circumstances of this particular case, I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial."
U.S. District Court Judge Emmett Sullivan set a hearing April 7 on the motion to dismiss the case.
Comments
Not really a surprise .... This was a Senator who had been in Washington long enough to know where plenty of bodies were buried make no mistake about it there are plenty of bodies buried there.... Why else do you think these idiots can stay there so long... Like the movie "Clear and Present Danger" he had himself a chip in the big game and when it came time to do the Potomac Two Step he cashed it in and made sure he wasn't left standing when the music stopped...
I think it would be hilarious for one of these old guys like Stevens or Byrd ... how old is he? I think he was around when dirt was discovered... I think it would be funny for one of them to say "shoot I ain't got more than a couple of years left so I think I will spill the beans on all of you and tell where all the bodies are buried"
Washington would be a ghost town in two weeks flat.
As has been posted on other sites those involved will just be promoted and given a bigger pension as Washington will not prosecute its own.
Can you imagine all the lawyers that would be out of work if Washington had to play by the rules...
Don Henderson
Posted by: Don Henderson | April 1, 2009 03:21 PM
The lawyers would be out doing something else for a living. They love a good controversy in Washington.
They smell money to be made on a good scandal. If the truth were known they probably start some things just to be able to get a client.
Posted by: The Doctor | April 1, 2009 09:48 PM
Doc
I was speaking of the numbers of lawyers that presently hold elected office but you are correct there would be a lot of lawyers applying for "burger builder" jobs. I have ofter wondered why a lawyer would leave a lucertive career to run for office but then in the private sector you have to work a life time to retire in Washington you just have to make it 4 or 6 years then "mama we are home free,full retirement after just 4/6 years but I think I'll stay you wouldn't believe the freebies from all the lobbyist and backroom deals, shucks I even got you a job at the State Dept doing something that you don't even have to go to an office and guess what the will deliever the pay check which is 100K right to our off shore account" What a country... well at least for a little while....
Don
Posted by: Don | April 2, 2009 09:28 AM