Alaska's Republican Senator Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in the Senate, was convicted of 7 counts of lying on financial disclosure statements last fall, a week before the general election. Due to the conviction, he lost his bid for an eighth term.The Justice Department is now seeking to throw out the convictions, with Attorney General Eric Holder citing gross misconduct by the prosecutors in the case.
"After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial," - Eric Holder, Attorney General
"... justified by the extraordinary evidence of government corruption in the prosecution of Sen. Stevens... a sad story and a warning to everyone. Any citizen can be convicted if prosecutors are hell-bent on ignoring the Constitution and willing to present false evidence." - Brendan Sullivan and Robert Cary, Stevens' attorneys
Apparently, the prosecutors and FBI witnesses lied during the trial, and hid evidence from the defense.
I don't have much use for Eric Holder. However, he is doing the right thing here. Unfortunately, it is too late for the people of Alaska and the US Congress - the election was irrevocably tainted by the timing of the prosecution, and the apparently illegal actions of the office of the prosecutor. Democrats had targeted Sen. Stevens' seat as one they wanted badly in this past election, and they got it. I guess the ends justify the means, any means, for the Democrat Party.
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Alaskan Governor Sarah Pailin, along with Alaska's other Senator, today called upon the Democrat who took Senator Stevens' seat to resign, so that a special election could be held. Their reasoning - let the people of Alaska choose their Senator without the illegal influence of a wrongful conviction days before the general election.
Now, do I think that the Democrat will listen - no way in hell. He'll say something like the people have spoken, the election was fair, another election will cost money, etc.
Is it too much to expect him to do the right thing? Probably .....
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