Republican Senator Ted Stevens Indicted in Criminal Charges
Charged with concealing gifts and services and lying on financial statements - He got goods and services worth more than $250,000 from oil firm for political favors.
Washington Post, July 29th 2008
Carrie Johnson & Paul Kane
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) was charged with seven counts of making false statements on his financial disclosure forms in an indictment unsealed in federal court in the District this afternoon. 
The indictment accuses Stevens, former chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, of concealing payments of more than $250,000 in goods and services he allegedly received from an oil company. The items include home improvements, autos and household items.
The Alaska oil firm, Veco, and its onetime leader Bill Allen, asked for help in return. Allen and another former Veco official pleaded guilty in May 2007 in connection with their role in the bribery of Alaskan public officials.
The indictment charges Stevens with violating the Ethics in Government Act between 2001 and 2006 by hiding payments from Allen, Veco and two other people. The law requires elected officials to disclose gifts and debts that exceed $10,000 during any point in the year.
Brendan Sullivan, a defense lawyer for Stevens, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
Stevens, a senator since 1968, “knowingly and willfully engaged in a scheme to conceal a material fact” according to the 28-page indictment. Click here to read more in the Washington Post.