Citing prosecutorial misconduct, the Justice Department this morning asked a federal judge to drop all charges against former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, and void his convictions on seven counts of lying about gifts from oil services company executives. In a statement, US Attorney General Eric Holder said that he would not seek a new trial.
Judge Sullivan has repeatedly delayed sentencing and criticized trial prosecutors for what he has called prosecutorial misconduct. At one point, prosecutors were held in contempt. Things got so bad that the Justice Department finally replaced the trial team, including top-ranking officials in the Public Integrity Section, which is charged with prosecuting public corruption cases.
With more ugly hearings expected, Holder is said to have decided late Tuesday to pull the plug. His decision is said to be based on Stevens’ age — he’s 85 — and the fact that Stevens is no longer in the Senate. Perhaps most importantly, Justice Department officials say Holder wants to send a message to prosecutors throughout the department that actions he regards as misconduct will not be tolerated.
“The Department of Justice must always ensure that any case in which it is involved is handled fairly and consistent with its commitment to justice,” Holder said in his statement.
As much as I think the facts support Stevens’ conviction, I can’t really argue with Holder’s logic or actions. After the Bush administration’s gross mismanagement and politicization, it will take years for Holder to clean up DOJ and restore its morale, and today’s move in such a high profile case does indeed send a strong message.
I admit to a sense of personal satisfaction in having seen Uncle Ted go down, but if somebody as powerful as a US senator couldn’t expect prosecutors to follow the law, how could you or I? We are a nation of laws, so better a guilty man go free than tolerate prosecutorial misconduct that puts the innocent at risk.
The next step is disciplinary actions against the Bushevik lawyers by whichever bar association(s) license them. You’ve gotta wonder if these shysters intentionally sabotaged the case so their fellow Republican would get off. And it goes without saying that throwing out a conviction because of prosecutorial misconduct doesn’t mean the defendant is innocent.
I agree that whoever who responsible for the misconduct should face the music.
For once I agree with you Goldy
“but if somebody as powerful as a US senator couldn’t expect prosecutors to follow the law, how could you or I?”
Amen.
You-know-who using the term “shyster?” Talk about the pot callin’ the kettle black!!
In any event, Stevens will be dead in a couple of years, so everyone can look forward to takin’ a trip to Alaska and pissin’ on his grave. If that’s what blows your skirt up, be my guest!
Who cares….
Just shows you how totally SCREWED UP the Justice Department was under the Bush administration.
One would expect a corrupt Republican administration to persecute and railroad innocent Democrats.
But to do the same thing to a leading member of their own party? It is one thing to be shamelessly oppressive. But to do that to your own people … PRICELESS.
And the timing could not have been worse … especially with Bush’s annointed choice for successor choosing one of Stevens’ closest political allies as his running mate.
5 – Yep, it was the Chimpanzee’s people who were minding the store. I wouldn’t be surprised if Roger’s suggestion @ 1 was close to the mark.
Whatever the reason behind the poor legal work, Bush fucked the Republcan party once again.
Four decades of hard work by conservatives to spread their message and come to power just to have it all pissed down the drain by George W. Bush.
But then again, the idiots who voted for him are the same ones who said Sarah Palin was more qualified than Barak Obama to be president because she has “executive experience.”
Damge done.
RNC marginalized.
Majority is happy with Demcorats in congress and President Obama.
A blissful recovery of the economy next year and we get a three more seats in the senate.
Then it’s TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OVER!!
Holder has been very impressive as AG. The difference between Alberto Gonzalez and him with regard to professionalism, integrity, and legal acumen is monumental.
@1
But in various circles of wingnuttery today, innocent is exactly what this means.
Stevens got gifts that he didn’t report…
Stevens was tried during a campaign season…
Stevens was found guilty just before the election…
Stevens lost a fairly close race…
The justice department trying the case was almost exclusively republican…
ERGO
Stevens was railraoded by the Democratic (oh sorry, Democrat) party and should sue to re-take his Senate seat! Grab your pitchfolks, get Sarah on the phone, let’s have a tea-party!!!
I was rather surprised when I first heard the news, but then again, I shouldn’t have been. After all, removing a currupt politician from office is one of the primary goals of a ethics prosecution, and that having been accomplished everything else is rather beside the point. I’m reminded a bit of Spiro Agnew’s prosecution – the primary requirement in his plea bargain was that he resign the Vice-Presidency.
My other thought is that perhaps they are “clearing the decks” to dismiss some other political cases – like the appeals of the Democratic southern governor (can’t remember his name right now) who was railroaded in a campaign staged directly out of Rove’s office. In that case, they even pushed aside the normal federal prosecutor to put in a hand-selected one – who’s husband happened to be a chairman of a Republican political committee.