Stevens Claims Smear Campaign by ProsecutionAttorneys for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) fought back Monday after prosecutors filed a discovery motion that hinted at possible quid pro quos between Stevens and VECO executives.
“The government wishes to smuggle in suggestions of bribery and corruption that it has not charged and cannot prove,” Stevens’ attorneys wrote in their motion. Stevens is charged with making false statements for failing to mention over $250,000 in gifts on his Senate disclosure forms — not with taking bribes.
From the AP:
Prosecutors also want to present somewhat unrelated evidence that they believe shows the Alaska senator got a sweetheart condominium deal, his daughter got a discounted car and his son got a job from VECO.
In court documents filed Monday, Stevens suggested the Justice Department was making accusations haphazardly, hoping to damage his reputation at trial. Those accusations have nothing to do with the crime he’s charged with, attorneys said.
“They are an obvious attempt to smear the Senator’s character,” defense attorneys wrote, adding later that the Justice Department was “continuing its assault on the senator’s family.”
