Stevens Turned Down Plea Deal

Sen. Ted Stevens rejected a plea bargain that would have kept him out of prison, according to newly released transcripts. In a July 31 conference, Stevens’ attorney, Brendan Sullivan, said prosecutors had offered to keep Stevens out of jail in exchange for one felony plea, but that Stevens had turned it down, Legal Times reports.

Prosecutor Brenda Morris wasn’t aware of the deal, which, Sullivan said, had been made before she was on the case. “I’d like to make clear on the record that there is no offer at this point,” Morris said, to which Sullivan replied, “And if one is made, it will not be accepted.” A jury convicted the Alaska Republican, though that conviction has since been tossed. (More Ted Stevens stories.)