| Submit your comments on this article |
| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| U.S. senator Stevens convicted on corruption charges |
| 2008-10-28 |
| (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska was convicted Monday on corruption charges. A 12-member federal jury unanimously found Stevens, 84, guilty on all seven counts of felony charges related to lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor. The longest-serving Republican senator now faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced Jan. 26, next year. But under federal sentencing guidelines, Stevens is likely to receive much less prison time, if any. He now becomes the first sitting U.S. senator convicted of a felony since 1981. Stevens' conviction will likely boost the Democratic Party's chance of winning a Alaska Senate seat for the first time in past three decades. His highest-profile conviction followed a four-year federal investigation. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #12 Alaska's law on senatorial succession was changed twice in 2004, once by the Legislature, and once by ballot initiative. Both laws call for a special election within 60 to 90 days of the vacancy. But they disagree on whether the governor appoints an interim senator in the meantime. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-10-28 23:40 |
| #11 It varies by state. Some are for full terms. Some are till the next corresponding general election. Some hold special elections. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-10-28 21:45 |
| #10 The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows states to choose how they replace a senator. My understanding is that Gov. Palin would replace Senator Stevens. Would Steven's replacement serve a full term in the Senate. How does that work? |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-10-28 20:30 |
| #9 One thing and one thing only could save this: Gov Palin needs to say she will DEMAND Steven's resignation if he wins, and will appoint LtGov Parnell until a replacement election can be held. Then Stevens could apologize, say "Vote for me and I will resign the day after the election, as an apology for me screwing things up so badly" That might save the seat. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-10-28 20:02 |
| #8 "most reasonable folks don't like the idea of voting for a convicted felon" Maybe so, but the Dems don't mind it at all. Should I provide a list? The problem is that he is a Republican, and Republicans don't generally go in for this kind of thing. Only salvage would be for Ted to announce his resignation, effect right after the election. Let Palin appoint a successor. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2008-10-28 16:08 |
| #7 The ruling class is almost totally made up of self-serving scum and those who aren't self-serving tend to be clueless and learning-impaired. However, the School of Hard Knocks is always in session, and attendance is absolutely compulsory. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2008-10-28 14:19 |
| #6 The ruling class is almost totally made up of self-serving scum. The one or two good apples have no chance of changing the barrel for the better. We're all screwed regardless of which party wins... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2008-10-28 14:10 |
| #5 That's one more way they'd set themselves apart from the Democrats. Who have no moral scruples to run any tainted or convicted pol and who usually wins. Which is another measure that separates the Trunks from the Donks. If your only measure is attaining and retaining POWER, then the other side which puts these discriminators upon their own will likely not be the ones occupying the seats when the ballot count is over. Just ask multi-term representative Murtha of the Abscam corruption theater. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-10-28 11:42 |
| #4 I dunno, Betty, most reasonable folks don't like the idea of voting for a convicted felon. A comment made 'round the bar at the O-Club makes sense to me: the Pubs need an 'inspectorate' that will ruthlessly purge candidates who are engaged in serious shenanigans, and do so before those candidates cost the Pubs seats in the general elections. Whether it's for the Senate, House, governor, library board, whatever, the Pubs need to make clear that they won't tolerate candidates with serious ethical flaws. That's one more way they'd set themselves apart from the Democrats. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-10-28 10:23 |
| #3 I'm not so sure the Dems will win the seat. |
| Posted by: Betty 2008-10-28 06:39 |
| #2 Looks like Uhbama isn't the only poor judge of character.. eh! Colin |
| Posted by: tipper 2008-10-28 02:56 |
| #1 Way to go Ted you selfish shit. You should have stepped aside. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-10-28 02:07 |