Government seeks to reverse Ted Stevens' conviction

WASHINGTON - In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department on Wednesday moved to drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens, saying his jury conviction for lying on financial disclosure forms to conceal gifts and home renovations was so riddled with impropriety it should be dismissed "in the interest of justice."

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Prosecutors had been adamantly fighting efforts by the Republican's defense team to have his conviction thrown out. But Attorney Gen. Eric Holder disclosed in a statement he had personally decided to reverse course and, in effect, wipe away not only Stevens' conviction but the underlying federal charges.

Stevens largely disappeared from public view following his conviction in late October, after which he was narrowly defeated for re-election. On Wednesday, he said Holder's decision will allow him to get on with his life.

"I always knew that there would be a day when the cloud that surrounded me would be removed," said Stevens, 85. "That day has finally come. It is unfortunate that an election was affected by proceedings now recognized as unfair."

The high-profile case against Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, had been criticized frequently by the presiding federal judge for missteps by prosecutors in the Justice Department's Public Integrity section. Holder said he was reserving judgment on whether they committed any actual misconduct, but he has ordered a full internal review of the Justice Department's handling of the case.

But in the meantime, Holder said he took such dramatic action in part due to prosecutors' repeated failure to provide important and potentially exculpatory information to Stevens' defense team. That included one incident that came to light in a court filing Wednesday that raised questions about the testimony of Bill Allen - Stevens' contractor, former friend and the government's key witness against him.

Nation reacts

Reactions to the Justice Department's decision to drop all charges against the convicted former-Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens:

"After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial. In light of this conclusion, and in consideration of the totality of the circumstances of this particular case, I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial."

- Attorney General Eric Holder

"I am grateful that the new team of responsible prosecutors at the Department of Justice has acknowledged that I did not receive a fair trial and has dismissed all the charges against me. ... It is unfortunate that an election was affected by proceedings now recognized as unfair."

- Former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens

"I was pleased with the news that the Justice Department will drop all charges against Sen. Ted Stevens, but I am deeply disturbed that the government can ruin a man's career and then say 'never mind.' There is nothing that will ever compensate for the loss of his reputation or leadership to the state of Alaska."

- Sen. Lisa Murkowski,R-Alaska

"I always said I didn't think Senator Stevens should serve time in jail and hopefully this decision ensures that is the case. It's time for Senator Stevens, his family and Alaskans to move on and put this behind us."

- Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska

“Ted was not only my colleague but he is my good friend, and today is a great day for him and the state of Alaska; justice has finally been served. ... Those of us who know Ted have always known he is a good and honorable man who has spent his career providing for the state that he loves.”

- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska

“Sen. Stevens deserves to be very happy today. What a horrible thing he has endured. The blatant attempts by adversaries to destroy one’s reputation, career and finances are an abuse of our well-guarded process and violate our God-given rights afforded in the Constitution.”

- Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska

“I believe the Justice Department did the right thing. I’m happy for Ted and his family.”

- Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii