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Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), who faces corruption charges, yesterday asked that the trial be dismissed or retried, saying that new evidence has appeared that will exonerate him and accusing the prosecution of withholding evidence from defense lawyers. Stevens is on trial for taking and concealing $250,000 worth of gifts from VECO, an Alaska oil company. Former VECO CEO Bill Allen, the prosecution’s star witness, is scheduled to take the stand tomorrow. (Politico)

Chair of the House Oversight Committee
Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) pressed Lehman Brothers Friday to hand over internal documents and e-mails, part of the government’s investigation of the company’s failure. The documents were due last Thursday, but Lehman said they cannot comply because the papers were discarded. Lehman CEO Richard Fuld goes before the committee Oct. 6. (Committee Press Release)

The U.S. continues to hold a Chinese man in Guantanamo, despite a June ruling saying he was illegally detained. Lawyers have asked that their client, a Muslim from a region that has sought independence from China, be taken to the U.S. to testify and then released, as he faces possible dangers at home. The request will go before a federal judge Oct. 7. (Chicago Tribune)

Religious leaders are deliberately politicking in the pulpit, an effort to challenge federal laws that forbid nonprofit groups from participating in political campaigns. More than 30 preachers across the country moved Sunday to explicitly endorse presidential candidates in violation of a 1954 IRS law that prevents tax-exempt organizations taking partisan stands. The conservative group, Alliance Defense Fund, said it would back the preachers in a lawsuit. (LA Times)

The Ohio Supreme Court may rule today on legislation that allows all citizens to vote via absentee ballot, a 2005 law that means that voters can register and vote on the same day. The policy is under attack by the GOP, which says same-day voting will prevent proper background checks. The protest hasn’t stopped either party from urging voters to make use of the opportunity. (AP)

Senators regularly reimburse staff for driving them to work, despite rules that forbid public funds from going to commuting costs. When asked about the apparent infractions, senators defended the practice, saying their trips to and from work frequently involved stops to Senate-related functions. Sen. Kay Hutchison (R-TX) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) were among the legislators fingered in the report. (Roll Call)

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