U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens faces seven federal charges of making false statements in the 28-page indictment handed up Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C.
He is accused of being part of a scheme that began in 1999 and ended only last year to enrich himself with "things of value" from Veco Corp. and its chief executive, Bill Allen, then conceal the gifts by not reporting them on his financial disclosure forms. The charges are all felonies. The total value of home renovations, furnishings, maintenance, tools and a new SUV topped $250,000, according to the indictment.
What do prosecutors allege Stevens got out of the deal?
A new 1999 Land Rover worth $44,000, for his youngest child.
Renovations to his Girdwood home that doubled its size. A new first floor was added with two bedrooms and a bathroom. Also new: a garage, workshop, wraparound decks, wiring, plumbing, and a heat tape system on the roof. Stevens says he paid every invoice he was given.
A new Viking gas grill, new and used furniture, and a storage cabinet stocked with tools.
Repairs to the boiler and heating system.
What did Veco chief executive Bill Allen get out of the deal?
A 1964 Ford Mustang valued at less than $20,000, plus $5,000, in exchange for the Land Rover.
Stevens' help with various Veco funding requests, grants and projects including, according to the indictment, projects in Pakistan and Russia; grants to benefit Veco, its subsidiaries and business partners including grants from the National Science Foundation; and help on state and federal issues connected to construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope.
-- Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News


Stevens prosecution team won't face criminal charges

