Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Indicted on Corruption Charges
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
July 29, 2008 3:23pm CST
Senator Ted Stevens, R.-AK was indicted today on seven counts of failing to report income. You can read more about it here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/washington/30stevens.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
All of the counts are felonies and could carry heavy prison sentences. These charges come after a long investigation and could have a large impact on the coming election as Senator Stevens is up for reelection in November. Mark Begich, a popular Democratic mayor of Anchorage, was closing in on Stevens in the polls even before word of this indictment.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
"The Justice Department announced the charges at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. The document says that, from the spring of 1999 through the late summer of 2007, Mr. Stevens failed to report “things of value” that he received in connection with his home in the ski resort city of Girdwood, about 40 miles south of Anchorage.
Prosecutors say Mr. Stevens, who referred to his home as “the chalet,” accepted goods and services worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, ranging from an outdoor grill to extensive home remodeling and architectural advice. Not only did Mr. Stevens fail to report the items on his Senate financial disclosure form, as required, but he took active steps to conceal the receipt of the goods and services, the indictment says.
All the charges are felonies. Justice Department officials declined to discuss how long a prison term a conviction on the charges might bring, noting that the maximum sentences allowed by law are rarely imposed. Mr. Stevens was in Washington on Tuesday, and was allowed to turn himself in for paperwork processing."
To make this a discussion, do you think Senator Stevens will be convicted on any of these counts and if so, do you think the 84 year old will serve any prison time? Preposterous as it may sound, do you think he'll be reelected in spite of these charges? Will the Democrats pick up one of the most unlikely Senate seats in November?
Annie
3 people like this
9 responses
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Will there ever be a way to rely upon our leaders? It seems as if they all stert out with good intentions, but it's not long before somebody finds the dirt. If it were personal dirt, as with Bill Clinton's affairs, it's not really our business, because we didn't marry him; we just elected him to be our leader. Here, though, is yet another case in which it hurts us a lot. What has he done to keep these financial secrets? Who was given unfair treatment? Why can't people remain committed to serving their constituents?
I'm very close with a state congressman, and I nag him like crazy about remaining a public servant. He swears he would never do anything just to enlarge his bank accounts. If he does, I'll have to make a total fool of him very publicly, because I demand honesty! Now, where are the former teachers of other politicians?
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Good for you! If only every public servant had a friend like you to keep them honest and hold their feet to the fire! I also believe most politicians do start out with good intentions but there's something about power, once they get a taste of it some of them can't get enough and they come to believe they're above the law and that they can take taxpayers' money and use it for their own pleasure and nobody should ever know the difference. I can't wait to hear how Stevens' indictment is spun by the right. It's fortunate for him and his party that most attention is on the Presidential election and now there's an earthquake in L.A. to report on so he'll get little attention.
Annie
2 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Let's hope this doesn't get buried. The people need to know when they've been scammed, so thay can do something about it. Fortunately, we don't have a dictatorship or a monarchy, so we don't have to turn our backs to the wrongdoings of leaders. If America can't regain integrity, we're doomed!
3 people like this
@Smith2028 (797)
• United States
29 Jul 08
I would seriously doubt if he sees any prison time. Senator Stevens should pay the consequences for this, however, his age and his stature within the political realm will give him the pull needed to avoid jail time. As far as re-election goes, I would doubt it, however, I'm not sure his re-election was a sure thing anyway. I think the Dems were poised to take his seat anyway.
3 people like this
@kingcrapper (1536)
• United States
30 Jul 08
It sure is funny to me to think that our representatives in our local, state or national government are on 'our' side. Ans then comes a story like this one. If you ask me I think the national government is not run by the people we elect but the lobbyiest that own then. There is no real difference, to me, in the political parties because they are all run by party bosses who are owned by this firm, that cause or that source of power. It doesn't matter about the people but how much pork they can shove into a bill and how much poitical flak they can throw at someone else for trying to fight it.
Sometimes I wonder if this is the what the founding father had in mind. Probably not.
1 person likes this
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
30 Jul 08
I wonder how many more hidden crimes there are involving people in government. It is not easy to uncover the truth about people in power. I feel sad for Sen. Ted Stevens. He was given a chance to be a great man and if convicted he will go as a criminal. So sad.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
29 Jul 08
I doubt that anything will become of his "crimes", I'm sure that they will say that he is to old to do anything to. It seems like another case of that one guy that columnist or whatever I don't know his name, it was just announced that he has a brain tumor, he hit the person walking across the street and he didn't stop, and all he got was a low fine for his hit and run, which in my state it is a felony. I am shocked when politicains are actually charged, and almost have heart failure if they have some sentense involved with their crime. The day the press said that Tom Noe would serve time I about fell off my chair lol.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Jul 08
You're referring to Bob Novak. I'd never make light of someone having a brain tumor but isn't it something how the day after he's involved in a hit and run he announces he has a brain tumor? He's 86 years old and likely shouldn't have even been driving. I'm not saying that to offend any older people, some are probably just fine to drive at that age but many are not and should have to be tested frequently because they're clearly a danger to themselves and others.
I'm sure you're right, Stevens will never see the inside of a prison and even if he's fined it won't even hurt him since he's taken all those gifts he wasn't supposed to and there are probably some they never caught him taking. I'm going to have to hold my nose and put Fox News on for a few minutes to see if they report this at all and if they do, if they put a "D." by his name like they've been known to do when a Republican gets in trouble or does something they don't like, they just make him a Democrat!
Annie
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
30 Jul 08
Isn't it so neat how they just change the person's political party? lol Ah, well if the Christian's hadn't bytched about the FOX on regular television they probably wouldn't have FOX news, I believe they did just to shut them up. Put on the most unfair and unbalanced news to make the Republican party look so great then the Family Guy, Simpson's, and King of the Hill can stay on the air without the Christ Coalition complaining.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
30 Jul 08
Oh, I seen you responded to McCain's flip flopping and I responded to you but I didn't know if you would see it or not so here's what I responded to you with....
Have a good laugh.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c&feature=related
3 people like this
@ohioboy2 (15)
•
30 Jul 08
When I first heard about this story I was very glad that a politician is actually going to get charged for doing something wrong. I feel that politicians/celebrities are gifted with special treatment that is wrong. I believe that the people of Alaska are upset with the senator and will be anxious to hear the sentencing.
2 people like this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I am curious as to why the media makes such a big deal. Isn't that what they're supposed to do? NOT lol. The real story is when you find a politician who doesnt either know one or has been corrupt themselves. There's not a day that goes by when I dont open a newspaper or turn on the news and hear about some corrupt politician doing God knows what with God knows who. I am sorry if seem to be ridiculing you. I am not. I am ridiculing the government. And what I wonder is... If me a woman on the East coast working two jobs just to get by, can have this view, what do the other countries think of us? How embarassed I am when I think of what other countries think of us. People all over the world must see the headlines and think we are idiots to put these people into office. And the sad truth (for me) is that the working classes opinions don't mean squat. Every time we elect someone to represent us we must think about the outcome. Play out the whole tape. We cant blame the government because we put them there. I am soooo embarassed and frustrated. Thanks for listening. dl
@Gorcon (320)
• United States
30 Jul 08
Wasn't this the same guy who said "the internet isn't just a big truck, you can't just dump stuff on it?" and "the internet is a series of tubes?"
Ah, politicians when will they ever become clean and actually work for American citizens' well-being instead of the lobbyists...
@Scorpionok (343)
• Brazil
29 Jul 08
i've not read what you write because i'm without time but when i read the topic name i think with myself i cannot exist without post here something.
you are talking about 1 senator here where i live to be more exactly brazil have one things we did call by "mensalao" something like "big month" and it take to much time on tv here and a lot of senators and others position on power has declined because all was wrapped with corruption.
sorry if you cant understand what i say when i back i try to explain better because like i've said i'm without any time right now.
thanks, Scorpionok.
