US Attorney General drops Stevens conviction

From AP – The Justice Department wants the guilty verdict against former Senator Ted Stevens thrown out.  It will not pursue a new trial, but wants all charges dropped.  The office of Attorney General Eric Holder said this morning that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial.  He said in light of that and considering all the case’s circumstances, it’s in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment.

Stevens was convicted in October of lying on senate financial forms about gifts received.  Stevens was never sentenced.  Post trial proceedings have been tied up with the fallout from accusations of government misconduct during the case.

The Justice Department’s motion to dismiss the case centers around recently discovered information about interviews lawyers did with Veco’s Bill Allen. Conflicting statements were received that don’t match with testimony given at the trial proceedings. 

The Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating.