A convicted felon is running for re-election in Alaska. Senator Ted Stevens was convicted today. Here’s the AP story:
WASHINGTONÂ (AP)Â — Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.
The Senate’s longest-serving Republican, Stevens was found guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents.
The verdict throws the upcoming election into disarray. Stevens is fighting off a challenge from Democrat Mark Begich and must now either drop out or continue campaigning as a convicted felon.
The trial hinged on the testimony of Stevens’ longtime friend, who testified that his employees dramatically remodeled the senator’s home.
Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count but, under federal sentencing guidelines, will likely receive much less prison time, if any.
Another ethics scandal with a (Alaskan) Republican?
Say it ain’t so Joe _fill_in_the_blank!!!!!!
Ok, Republican play book:
Play 41 a: Blaming the process: it was a partisan jury, a partisan judge, a partisan prosecutor.
or
Play 41b: Bad Apple Defense and distance yourself: It was an isolated incident by a single corupt.
or
Play 41c: Hubris: Bush commutes his sentence for being too harsh.
I am placing my money on 41c and selling short on the stock market.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to see some real jail time for this thieving, corrupt, insidious crook. I doubt he’ll get much though, something tells me the judge is going to sentence a slap on the wrist. And if he doesn’t then President Bush will most certainly commute his sentence to time served right before he leaves. This is quite possibly one of the most disgusting crimes that can be committed. And for it to take place during wartime should constitute treason and high crimes.