Ted Stevens on tape: might 'spend a little time in jail'
In recordings from 2006 played at his corruption trial, the Alaska senator maintains that he and a friend did not nothing wrong, but he acknowledges that fines and a sentence behind bars are possible.
WASHINGTON -- Caught on tape discussing the burgeoning corruption probe against him two years ago, Sen. Ted Stevens was both combative and pragmatic, denying in sometimes colorful language that he and a friend had done anything wrong but also acknowledging that they might face fines or even prison.
"You got to get a tough mental attitude," the six-term Republican lawmaker said in a telephone conversation with oilman Bill J. Allen recorded by the FBI. "These people can't shoot us. This isn't Iraq."
"Hell, the worst that could happen is that we run up a bunch of legal fees ... pay a fine, spend a little time in jail," Stevens added. "I hope ... it doesn't come to that."
The recordings were made in August, September and October of 2006, with the permission of Allen, a long-time friend of Stevens who had just been confronted by federal agents about his role in an influence-peddling scheme involving state lawmakers in Alaska, including Stevens' son.
The tapes were played today for jurors as part of the government's case against Stevens, who is on trial for accepting more than $250,000 in gifts and home improvements from Allen, who is also the principal government witness against Stevens.
The lawmaker expresses concern on the tapes about a problem with low blood pressure that Allen has been experiencing, and rhapsodizes about the times the men used to attend high-end "boot camps" together to lose weight.
Stevens expresses disdain for the federal corruption investigation, while counseling Allen that the men should be careful to avoid even the appearance that they were trying to obstruct the probe.
"I've never been up against a bunch like this one before," Stevens said, adding later, "Let's stick this thing out together, all right?"
Later, the men commiserate about the probe.
"Hey Ted, I am sorry this whole thing has happened," Allen said.
"Life is life. These things happen," Stevens replied, recounting a story about his "Uncle Walter," an inventor, getting in trouble with authorities.
"Attitude is what makes the difference," he said. "We are both going to live a long time."
Stevens lawyer, Brendan V. Sullivan, began his cross-examination of Allen after the tapes were played Monday. The government is expected to finish presenting its case against Stevens by midweek.
Rick.Schmitt@Latimes.com
