Jury finds Stevens guilty

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2008 4:04 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Courts, Republicans

From NBC's Pete Williams, Mike Kosnar, and Mark Murray

A jury found Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) guilty on all seven counts in his federal corruption trial. He was convicted of lying about $250,000 of gifts and renovations on his Alaska home.

Video: Alaska's Sen. Ted Stevens has been found guilty on seven counts of making false statements. NBC's Pete Williams reports.

This conviction boosts the prospects of Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) defeating Stevens in next week's Senate race.

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Comments

I guess the cold weather up there freezes their brains and makes them do stupid things. Looking forward to the perp walk.
Can Sarah be far behind?

newshound nh (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Steven's conviction is huge. It is the last thing McCain/Palin needed.

************

From earlier:

Palin's claim to shop in consignment stores does not ring true. Those who know her in Alaska have informed us that she is known as a clothes horse in her home state. She seemed guilty yesterday on the stump with her usual dose of sarcasm topped with a goodly glob of victim's whine.

A retraction:

I just saw a video featuring an interview with the owner of the consignment store where Gov. Palin shops.
I stand corrected. I apologize to the Governor, her supporters, and all First Readers.

aleese (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Justice is served.

Looks like Begich should take the victory now. One more toward a fillibuster proof Senate.

David, St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:36 PM)

Aww, does this mean that- as a convicted felon- he will not be able to cast a vote for his BFF, Sarah?

And, speaking of corrupt Alaska politicians: when is the next installment of the Sarah & Todd show? So much good stuff to investigate, there. Only eight more days 'til she heads home...

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:37 PM)

There really is justice! No more bridges to nowhere is Alaska.

Dustin, D.C. (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:37 PM)

Yeah well remember, this is the state that Elected Caribou Barbie as Governor so never doubt they could re-elect Stevens.

Dave, Florence, SC (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:38 PM)

AWWwww.... c'mon, First Read! He's not guilty, he's a Maverick! Whyzza media always picking on these guys?

Buzz (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:39 PM)

Democratic Sendate 60!!!

Ramen Dude, Plano, TX (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:39 PM)

Palin is next.

mbell FL (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:39 PM)

Good...maybe Stevens and Palin can share a cell together back in Alaska..

C (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:40 PM)

Sounds like the Florida situation a couple of years ago. Look what happened with the Democrat replacement there. Democrat no, Independent/Libertarian yes! No to the big parties.

Mike Walsh, Moss Point, MS (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:40 PM)

A Republican public official found guilty of corruption, what a shock LOL!!!.. Throw all the Republicans cooks out of the Senate, Take Sara back with you ...

maryfern (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:41 PM)

I feel as excited as when Rummy was fired.
Ashcroft, too!
Oh, and when Hillary lost!

I don't even care if Barrack wins at this point. The most corrupted have been found out!

Eric, Beaverton, OR (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:43 PM)

Good Riddens....let's hope this is the first of many well deserved convictions of those politicians who have sold our country out over and over again.

GP Chicago (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:43 PM)

Man, when it rains it pours. Will Palin come next? This woman should be investigated. No one is above the law.

Joyce, NY (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:43 PM)

Uh-Oh, looks like another Repub Senate seat bites the dust. And where's that other troopergate finding that's due out [hopefully] before the election?

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:44 PM)

Hmmmmm..... Alaska seems to have problems this time!!!!Palin was found guilty and now Stevens!!!The GOP is going down!!! Joe the Plumber is not able to help here!!!

Ourania, Coppell TX (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

Now that Steven's has been found guilty, I'm sure Palin will be throwing him under the bus, along with everybody else. I think she took lessons from him, "housegate", "troopergate", "pipelinegate". I'm not sure she could get reelected in Alaska, let alone anywhere else.

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. A nice 5 to 10 years in the pokey would be a way of starting to extract some justice for his decades long pillaging of the national treasury in service of his home state.

Marcus, Chicago (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:47 PM)

Are you paying attention "Puppet Palin?" Stevens thought he was above the law, and morality too. He thumbed his nose up at justice, and violated the trust of all Americans as well. When Palin returns to Alaska it is my hope that "Puppet Palin" is eventually in a cell right next to Stevens. "Puppet Palin" believes in the pagan ritual of witchcraft. Well "Puppet Palin" you had better have your witch doctor perform a ritual that will save you. Don't hold your breath Palin!

Rock, Janesville, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:49 PM)

I think this is the correct decision by the jury. I think he purposefully did it. However, I hope that due to his age and the amount of money involved, he doesn't go to jail. Five years is a life sentence when you're 84.

Suz In KS (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:49 PM)

hmmmmm, let's see;

-Republican

-Corrupt

-Unethical

-abused powers

-Will vote for McCain

-and Alaskan.

Sound like someone we know running for VP?

interesting (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:50 PM)

Must be something about Alaska when the politicians think they can just do whatever they want without any concern for the people.

Paul c (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:51 PM)

looks like another seat for the dems in the senate, with palin abusing power and soforth, i'm getting the feeling alaska will go blue on nov. 4th!!

james, greenville, s.c. (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:51 PM)

Well, well, well. Will wonders never cease? Come on Alaska. Get out and vote. Barack Obama for President, Joe Biden for Vice-President, and Mark Begich for U.S. Senator.

Obama supporter in IL (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:51 PM)

Stevens was Palin's mentor. Interesting that the Palins built their new house at the same time the Wasilla hockey rink went up. According to Todd he and his buddies built it. Yeah right! Methinks Stevens taught Sarah well.

thisgrandmaforobama - small town wisconsin (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:52 PM)

hey... lets make sure we let Gov Palin know that she "palled" around with a convicted FELON!!!!

just the facts (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:53 PM)

Palin you are next

Sabu Blfd NJ (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:53 PM)

Hey Ted, maybe you can take your massage chair to your new digs. Or if you like, you can loan it to the Alaska Gov when she comes back to Alaska. I'm sure Todd can tell you where he would like it in her(their)office.

CA Voter NOT For McCain/Palin (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:54 PM)

Palin is next. She needs to be impeached or censured for abuse of power, stealing from the state, and letting her husband Todd conduct government business as a civilian.

Obama/Biden '08

C in Maryland (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Are the contractors in the Stevens renovation case the same ones that are involved in the renovations of the Palin home case or are they different contractors altogether? There is so much corruption coming out of AK these days it's hard to keep track of which pol is guilty of which crimes or ethical misdeeds ... Thanks. -Chris

Chris Smith (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:55 PM)

Hey Ted, thanks for helping us get to 61..

Brad, Portland,OR (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:56 PM)

No Ted... Jail is NOT a series of tubes!

Mike NJ (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:57 PM)

it's about time that justice has been done, now next is palin for her abuse in the troopergate. the time for change is now and moving this great nation in a postive direction for equality for all.

tanya s. oklahoma city, ok (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:57 PM)

Oopsy... ANOTHER ONE BITE THE DUST!!!!

Adebola, Cincinnati Ohio (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:58 PM)

Claiming your wife did not tell you she did not receive or pay the bills and stating that the gifts were "loans" was clearly too much for any jury to buy.

Stephen PA (Sent Monday, October 27, 2008 4:58 PM)

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