Stevens’s lawyers say government’s slowing case

Sen. Ted Stevens’s (R-Alaska) lawyers on Friday accused the U.S. government of waging a "trial by ambush" by submitting more than 1,000 potential trial exhibits with only 10 days left before the criminal trial begins.

In an emergency filing to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, defense attorney Robert Cary complained that the government dumped so many exhibits on Thursday that Stevens's legal team would be forced to spend "multiple days merely to identify the exhibits the government would use against him." He also argued that the government had not provided all the information — including FBI memos, interview notes and grand jury transcripts — it plans to use against Stevens in the case.

{mosads}Cary praised the court for attempting to move the case swiftly, so it can conclude before Stevens faces voters in November.

"But the government's gamesmanship and 'hide-the-ball' tactics undermine the fairness of the upcoming trial," he argued. The trial is slated to begin Sept. 22. 

Judge Emmet G. Sullivan agreed with the defense that the government should provide the exhibit in an easily accessible format and should provide all other information. He set a status hearing for Friday afternoon.  

Cary said Stevens's legal team would respond with the exhibits it plans to use in the trial by Sunday. Any objections would have to be submitted by Tuesday, the defense proposed. 

Stevens, the longest-serving GOP senator, has been charged with seven counts of concealing more than $250,000 worth of home renovations and gifts from a now-defunct oil-services company, Veco Corp. He has pleaded not guilty and is hoping to clear his name before he faces Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) in the November election.