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Alaska senator 'accepted gifts' | Alaska senator 'accepted gifts' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Federal prosecutors say Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is a "crafty politician" who knows how to take gifts unnoticed. | Federal prosecutors say Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is a "crafty politician" who knows how to take gifts unnoticed. |
They were speaking at the opening of the trial of Mr Stevens, who is accused of lying on Senate financial disclosure forms about gifts from an oil firm. | They were speaking at the opening of the trial of Mr Stevens, who is accused of lying on Senate financial disclosure forms about gifts from an oil firm. |
Mr Stevens' defence lawyer maintained the senator had not known that the oil firm had not been paid for the gifts. | |
The Senator, who is the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, is fighting a tough re-election bid. | |
Mr Stevens, 84, has said he plans to speak at the trial but has also said he will follow the advice of his lawyers. | Mr Stevens, 84, has said he plans to speak at the trial but has also said he will follow the advice of his lawyers. |
Testifying would expose the senator, who has a reputation for a quick temper, to a series of probing questions from the prosecution, the Associated Press says. | Testifying would expose the senator, who has a reputation for a quick temper, to a series of probing questions from the prosecution, the Associated Press says. |
Election battle | Election battle |
During opening arguments, prosecutor Brenda Morris said Mr Stevens was a "crafty politician" who had learned during his long service in the Senate to accept gifts without being noticed. | During opening arguments, prosecutor Brenda Morris said Mr Stevens was a "crafty politician" who had learned during his long service in the Senate to accept gifts without being noticed. |
Mr Stevens is accused of failing to disclose $250,000 (£135,000) of work done on his house free of charge by employees of the Veco oil company that normally builds pipelines and processing equipment. | Mr Stevens is accused of failing to disclose $250,000 (£135,000) of work done on his house free of charge by employees of the Veco oil company that normally builds pipelines and processing equipment. |
He had "thumbed his nose" at the public's right to know about the gifts, Ms Morris said, according to AP. | He had "thumbed his nose" at the public's right to know about the gifts, Ms Morris said, according to AP. |
Mr Stevens has pleaded not guilty, saying he has "never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a US senator". | Mr Stevens has pleaded not guilty, saying he has "never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a US senator". |
Mr Stevens has continued to campaign since he was indicted in July. | Mr Stevens has continued to campaign since he was indicted in July. |
His Senate seat is up for grabs in November's election and polls suggest he is facing a tough battle against his Democratic challenger, Mark Begich, if he is to secure an eighth term. | His Senate seat is up for grabs in November's election and polls suggest he is facing a tough battle against his Democratic challenger, Mark Begich, if he is to secure an eighth term. |
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