Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Comments (0)     E-mail article     Print view

Stevens jurors hear FBI tape of plot

Two friends of Sen. Ted Stevens schemed to conceal that one was paying for expensive remodeling and repairs at the senator's cabin in Alaska...

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Two friends of Sen. Ted Stevens schemed to conceal that one was paying for expensive remodeling and repairs at the senator's cabin in Alaska, according to FBI audiotapes played Tuesday at Stevens' corruption trial.

Bill Allen and Bob Persons are heard on tape fretting in February 2006 after Stevens contacted Allen about a $1,000 plumbing bill that says, "Labor paid for by Bill."

"We need to make that disappear from [the plumber's] records," Persons said in one conversation captured by an FBI wiretap of Allen's phones. "Tell him Ted's paying for everything. I mean, that's the safest thing, Bill."

Allen, the government's star witness, and Persons, a neighbor who helped oversee the cabin makeover, agreed that Allen should get a check from Stevens for the work. But they also decided that instead of cashing it, it should be photocopied and saved in case the senator was ever investigated for ethics violations.

"If it ever comes up, you say, 'He paid me for that,' " Persons said.

Stevens, 84, is accused of lying on Senate financial-disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in home renovations and gifts from Allen, the former chief of an oil-pipeline company. The Republican patriarch of Alaska politics hopes for an acquittal before voters go to the polls next month to decide whether to return him to the Senate seat he's held for 40 years.

Allen concluded his testimony Tuesday after spending nearly four days on the witness stand detailing a relationship with Stevens that spanned two decades. Prosecutors used Allen to attack Stevens' claim that he was clueless about the extent of free work that Allen and his now-defunct company, VECO, did on the cabin.

Before he left the stand, Allen quoted Stevens as saying during one of their many dinners together, "I know you're putting more work in there than what you're saying."

Allen testified as part of a plea deal in a bribery investigation of Alaska legislators. On cross-examination Tuesday, he testified that in addition to possible leniency at his sentencing, Allen has millions of dollars riding on his cooperation.

Under the terms of a $380 million sale last year of VECO, the buyer was allowed to withhold $70 million until able to determine whether Allen's cooperation helps deflect criminal charges against the company itself.

Jurors on Monday heard conversations — secretly recorded by Allen — in which Stevens proclaimed his innocence while advising Allen to keep a low profile.

"I don't think we've done anything wrong, Bill," Stevens said on the tape. "I tell you right now, I've told my lawyer I can't think of a thing we've done that's wrong."

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

advertising

Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Advertising

Video

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
A little friendly competition between professional pie-baker Kate McDermott and The Seatttle Times' Kathleen Triesch Saul is handled with great taste.

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising