The long-awaited investigative report concerning prosecutorial misconduct in the federal corruption trial of the late Sen. Ted Stevens has been released publicly. And it appears that, as some expected, Alaska prosecutors are going to take the fall for the missteps of the whole team.
The 525-page report was compiled by special investigator Henry F. Schuelke III, appointed by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, who presided over Stevens' 2008 trial. The appearance of prosecutorial misconduct during the trial, which ended with a guilty verdict, spurred an infuriated Sullivan to initiate the investigation after he threw out Stevens' conviction.
The report is a "windy road," according to Steven's lawyer, Brendan Sullivan -- no relation to Judge Sullivan -- that shows "government corruption that is shocking in its boldness and its breadth."
Sullivan's was but one reaction to the report:
From Brendan Sullivan, Ted Stevens' lawyer:
From Sen. Stevens' wife, Catherine Stevens:
From The National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers:
From Ken Wainstein, counsel for Alaska federal prosecutor Joe Bottini:
From Laura Sweeney, spokeswoman for the Department of Justice:
Contact Amanda Coyne at amanda@alaskadispatch.com