Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, 85, the longest serving Republican, has been found guilty on all seven federal counts in a verdict that was announced this afternoon. Each charge could carry a 5 year jail sentence.
Stevens home was raided by the FBI and IRS on July 30, 2007. A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. heard evidence in May about the expansion of Stevens’ home, which doubled its size. In June Washingtonian magazine reported that Stevens had hired “Washington’s most powerful and expensive lawyer”.
On July 29, 2008, Stevens was indicted on corruption charges by a federal grand jury, which included seven counts of failing to properly report gifts. The charges relate to renovations to his home and alleged gifts from VECO Corporation, claimed to be worth more than $250,000. The indictment followed a lengthy investigation by the FBI and IRS.
Stevens had hoped to clear his name by the November election. The trial started on October 25 and came to a conclusion on October 27, 2008 with a unanimous verdict of guilty on all counts.
Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since 1968, steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state.
Check out a photo of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Stevens below. They look like they’re walking the last mile.