It seems that a common trait for Republican elected officials these days is an allowance to be free from the rules and regulations of our country. George Bush got Congress to pass a law making one of his illegal maneuvers legal. So perhaps Ted Stevens thinks he can get around the legal system as well.
Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska was caught receiving gifts in the six figure range from campaign contributors like VECO who were the beneficiaries of Stevens' earmarks. Then Stevens lied about the gifts, netting him seven charges of falsifying records, each worth five years in prison. So when the law comes looking for Stevens, he tries to jump up over it.
From RetireTed:
Anchorage, Alaska – Last week, lawyers for Senator Ted Stevens filed several motions asserting that Senators are above the law and deserve special treatment. Specifically, the defense explained that since the Department of Justice is part of the executive branch, they cannot investigate Stevens or interview his staff since they are part of the legislative branch. Stevens’ attorneys went as far to say that only Congress can discipline a Senator who violates the law by lying on the financial disclosure forms. However, Stevens voted for the legislation which established the financial disclosure forms. In essence, Stevens’ defense is that legislation he supported is now unconstitutional, and therefore the case should be dismissed.
“Senator Stevens’ actions speak louder than words,” said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. “Senator Stevens voted for the bill that created financial disclosure reports, but now his defense says it doesn’t matter if a Senator lies on the forms because a Senator can’t be investigated. Senator Stevens’ lawyers are saying there are no consequences for breaking the very same ethics rules that Stevens voted in support of. Senator Stevens is not above the law.”
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In 1989, Congress amended the Ethics In Government Act of 1978 to require members of Congress to file financial disclosure reports including income and honoraria exceeding $200. The bill gave the Attorney General the authority to take action against anyone who falsifies the financial disclosure report. Stevens joined the rest of the Senate in a voice vote in favor of the legislation.
The Department of Justice cannot investigate criminal behavior? Oh, that's rich. Well, they don't really do such a good job of it at the moment, but the whole "Justice" in the Department of Justice should kinda speak for itself. This time around, I don't see Senator Stevens with too many friends in Washington...and with his anemic poll numbers versus Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, he won't have anyone to help him get out of trouble.
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