AG Holder To Void Ex-Senator Ted Stevens Convictions

Breaking news this morning via the NPR that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will void the convictions against former Alaska senator Ted Stevens:

The Justice Department will drop all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, NPR has learned.

A jury convicted Stevens last fall of seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure form in order to conceal $250,000 in gifts from an oil industry executive and other friends. Stevens was the longest-serving Republican in the Senate, however, he lost his bid for an eighth full term in office just days after he was convicted. Since then, charges of prosecutorial misconduct have delayed his sentencing and prompted defense motions for a new trial.

According to Justice Department officials, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has decided to drop the case against Stevens rather than continue to defend the conviction in the face of persistent problems stemming from the actions of prosecutors…

Justice Department officials say they will withdraw their opposition to the defense motion for a new trial and will dismiss the indictment — in effect voiding the Stevens conviction.

We’ll continue to keep you posted on the details as more information becomes available. NPR reports now that Holder is set to inform Stevens’ lawyers sometime this morning.

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