Ted Stevens declares innocence

Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:40 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Courts, Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
The Alaska senator just released this statement: "I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years. My public service began when I served in WWII. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a US senator."

VIDEO: Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements. NBC's Pete Williams reports.

"In accordance with Senate Republican Conference Rules, I have temporarily relinquished my vice chairmanship and ranking positions until I am absolved of these charges. The impact of these charges on my family disturbs me greatly. I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that."

*** UPDATE *** Here's the statement from Ted Stevens' opponent in the US Senate race, Mark Begich, mayor of Anchorage:

"The indictment of Senator Ted Stevens is a sad day for Alaska and for the senator after his 40 years of service to our state. The people of Alaska are resilient and strong. I have great faith in our state and our people, and we will continue to move forward."

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Comments

Never KNOWINGLY submitted a false disclosure form. That pretty much says it all, doesn't it? I'd say he would have been better off to say nothing at all.

Oh, by the way, does this mean that somebody lied on his behalf and then forgot to tell him about it? For what purpose? That's like Monica Goodling saying she vetted those US attorneys on their political beliefs just because she felt like it.

And if you believe that, somewhere there's a bridge to nowhere that I'd like to sell you.

Obama/Biden 08

Anna Molly (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:50 PM)

McCain/Stevens 08

Leslie PhiladelphiaPA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:50 PM)

His behavior is shameful. We have Karl Rove politics to thank for this. The news media and public is always so glad to have news like Rev. Wright and silliness to grab our attention, that we overlook how we are being messed around with the President and his cronies. Our country has never been in such a mess since the great depression! Shame on these people. Let's get him out of office.

karen bourland overland park ks (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:52 PM)

Well, this frees him up to go campaign for McSame.

Geez, he served in WWII? Thanks for your service, but maybe you should've retired a long time ago?
[That goes for some others, too. =) ]

Or maybe Alaska will finally get the word that Repubs are largely hypocritical and often corrupt?

Alaskans for Obama!
Vets too!

Dave in OC, Vets for Obama (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:52 PM)

Liar, Liar, my bridge to nowhere is on FIRE! Another morally conservative christian hypocrite. Fall in line with Mark Foley,Scooter Libby,Dick Cheney,W Bush,Duke Cunningham,Don Rumsfeld,Paul Wolfowitz,Doug Feith, and the gay Senator from Idaho.

Paul, Miami, Fl (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:52 PM)

Yeah right. What a crook. And a McCain supporter right? Birds of a feather ............

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:53 PM)

You're going to prison unless you rat on others. Deal with it!

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:55 PM)

Since it is now a FACT that the political integrity of the Justice Dept has been compromised by the GOP and Bush's Buddies, one can only assume Stevens must be GUILTY. If the 'Just-us' Dept was forced to file charges against a Republican, then is stands to reason the proof must be so overwhelming that a lack of action by the DOJ would, itself, be CRIMINAL. I know the DOJ isn't doing there jobs, but they don't want to loose those jobs, regardless. So, I guess they'll just HAVE TO uphold the law.

Dave, San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:55 PM)

Innocent until proven...Republican!

McSame is flopping like a fish out of water. I gleefully shed my 30 year Republican past like snake skin and join the hopeful. We need to take back our country from these slimballs who want to destroy our way of life by giving it to foreigners. I feel slimy knowing that I considered myself one of them. I hope the Good Lord forgives me my past transgressions and gives me credit for what I'm about to write:

God Bless America and God Bless President Barack Obama in 2009.

Ex Republican (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:58 PM)

I am not a criminal, have never been a criminal, and will never be a criminal. do all the busted republican scum say the same thing when they get caught? the greedy #%$#@ will never spend one minute in jail, he will retire with full benefits and all the illegal money, politicians suck, the moral majority my ass

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:58 PM)

HE has relinguished his chairs? I think not littleman: the rules dictate that an indicted Senate member give up his chairs----yeah, we actually partcipate in our government when you Constitution haters let us, so don't think for a minute that we are uninformed Faux News Koolaid drinkers

KNOWLEDGE IS THE WAY (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:58 PM)

Stevens added, "It's a series of tubes!"

Jay, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:59 PM)

GUILTY!!

Now off with his head.

The Queen (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:59 PM)

What has serving in WWII got to do with corrunption charges???

McCain and the like keep flashing service as an excuse for everything.

I recall that Duke Cunningham flashed his service creed as well before going to jail.

New Wave (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:59 PM)

What has serving in WWII got to do with corruption charges???

McCain and the like keep flashing service as an excuse for everything.

I recall that Duke Cunningham flashed his service cred as well before going to jail.

New Wave (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:01 PM)

Just another reason to put the republican party in the doghouse permenently.
BYE BYE TED!

John Alexander,PA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:01 PM)

As he speaks like Pinochio his nose grew ten feet. I am sure McCain can name him a Senior Adivisor on economic matters pertaining to ear marks since he is the country's foremost specialist in that area.

Terry, Great Plains (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:03 PM)

Sounds like McCain to me...I served in the armed services...so I know everything, I can do anything and get away with it. I am so tired of this veteran excuse for being dumb.

No wonder McCain claims to know everything and to know everybody...the truth is...they are both dumb and not fit for office.

Stephen Missouri (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:04 PM)

"The impact of these charges on my reputation disturbs me greatly"

Fixed :)

game kid (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:12 PM)

The other senator that now sits in jail made the nearly exact claims. But I am willing to let the investigation and hearings take their course. But I am not going to hold my breath.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:12 PM)

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