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Jury Hears Secret Tapes in Stevens Trial

Alaska senator curses, claims innocence in talks with key witness

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2008 7:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jurors heard tapes yesterday of Ted Stevens cursing federal investigators and declaring his innocence in conversations he did not know were being recorded, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Stevens was speaking with former Veco CEO Bill Allen, the prosecution’s chief witness in the Alaska senator’s corruption trial. "I'm developing the attitude that I don't think I did anything wrong,” Stevens says in one of the recordings.

Despite this belief, Stevens talks on the tapes about the punishment he and Allen might receive for their actions. Stevens is accused of failing to report as gifts the extensive home renovations he received from Allen. "The worst that can happen to us is we wind up with a bunch of legal fees and … we might have to serve a little time in jail,” he says.

Bill Allen, the chief government witness against Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.
Bill Allen, the chief government witness against Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Ted Stevens and his daughter Beth Stevens leave the US District Court in Washington.
Sen. Ted Stevens and his daughter Beth Stevens leave the US District Court in Washington.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Sen. Ted Stevens leaves the US District Court in Washington after another day on trial. Prosecutors played secretly recorded tapes for first time yesterday at the senator's corruption trial.
Sen. Ted Stevens leaves the US District Court in Washington after another day on trial. Prosecutors played secretly recorded tapes for first time yesterday at the senator's corruption trial.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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