Ted Stevens indicted

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, has been federally indicted on seven felony counts. (By the way, apropos of nothing, but I love the dopey photo that the press insists on using of him, with the goofy smile - MSNBC uses it in the video above.)

Quite frankly, considering the way the Bush administration has politicized the appointments of federal prosecutors, this indictment is certainly saying something. Yes, every person is innocent until proven guilty, but there must be some pretty long evidence; he's been under investigation for quite some time, and his home in Girdwood, Alaska, was raided last summer, just over a year ago.

New York Times:

Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, the longest-serving Republican senator in United States history and a figure of great influence in Washington as well as in his home state, has been indicted on federal charges of failing to report gifts and income.

Mr. Stevens, 84, was indicted on seven felony counts related to renovations on his home in Alaska. The charges arise from an investigation that has been under way for more than a year, in connection with the senator's relationship with a businessman who oversaw the home-remodeling project.

"I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that," Mr. Stevens said several hours after the indictment was announced. He said in a statement that he had temporarily relinquished his Senate leadership positions "until I am absolved of these charges."

[...]

Prosecutors say Mr. Stevens, who referred to his home as "the chalet," accepted goods and services worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, ranging from an outdoor grill to extensive home remodeling and architectural advice. Not only did Mr. Stevens fail to report the items on his Senate financial disclosure form, as required, but he took active steps to conceal the receipt of the goods and services, the indictment says.

Mr. Stevens said he was saddened by the charges and had "proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years." He said he had "never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. senator."

Stevens is charged with failing to report over $250,000 in gifts, and for backing legislation that favored his son, Alaska State Sen. Ben Stevens (whose senate office has also been searched twice in connection with the federal probe, although he hasn't been charged).

I'm not shedding any tears for Stevens, that's for sure. I certainly hope that justice prevails, wherever it may lead, but today's indictment will certainly hurt Stevens' chances at reelection, and he's already in a tough fight with his opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

What's more, Stevens has been one of Congress' biggest opponents of Net Neutrality, so I'll make no secret that I'd love to see him out of Congress, no matter how it happens.