Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, was the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history. While seeking re-election in 2008, he was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven counts of failing to properly report gifts to a public official. The charges arose out of Stevens’ friendship with Bill Allen, an oil service company executive, who pleaded guilty to bribing several Alaskan state legislators. The charges involved renovations made to Stevens’ home and gifts from VECO Corp. that together exceeded $250,000. Stevens pleaded not guilty, and, at the conclusion of his trial, was convicted on all counts, which carried a maximum penalty of 35 years’ imprisonment. As a consequence of his indictment and conviction, Stevens was not re-elected.
In February 2009, prior to Stevens’ sentencing, FBI agent Chad Joy filed a whistleblower affidavit alleging that prosecutors and other agents had conspired to withhold and conceal evidence from Stevens’ lawyers that could have resulted in a verdict of “not guilty.” Joy alleged that prosecutors intentionally sent Rocky Williams, a key witness, back to Alaska after he performed poorly during a mock cross-examination. Williams later notified the defense attorneys that his testimony would have undercut the prosecution’s claim that VECO had spent its own money renovating Stevens’ house. Joy further alleged that the prosecutors intentionally withheld Brady material, including redacted prior statements of a witness, and a memo from Allen stating that Stevens probably would have paid for the goods and services if asked. Joy also asserted that Allen gave gifts to FBI agents, helped an agent’s relative get a job, and had an inappropriate relationship with a female agent.
