Sen. Ted Stevens pleaded not guilty Thursday to seven felony counts of filing false information.
Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, has been accused of not disclosing more than $250,000 in gifts and services he allegedly received from VECO, an Alaska oil services firm.
Stevens has not been charged with the more serious crime of bribery because prosecutors do not have evidence of a quid pro quo. Some legal experts say the case may be tough to prosecute because prosecutors will have to show beyond a reasonable doubt that Stevens knowingly filed false financial disclosure forms with the Senate.
Stevens said nothing to reporters before or after the arraignment. When the proceedings were over, he and his legal team slipped out a side door and into two black Cadillacs that were waiting for them.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan set a trial date of Sept. 24. The early date came at the request of Stevens' attorney, Brendan Sullivan, who said that his client "would like to clear his name before his election."
Stevens, 84, was released on his own recognizance.
QUICK! TOSS THE PRICK IN JAIL BEFORE BUSH PARDONS HIM. I can't think of a better end for his career.
No comments:
Post a Comment