Stevens Attorneys Request A Change Of Trial Venue

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Attorneys for Sen. Ted. Stevens (R-AK) filed a motion on Monday asking the court to hold the trial in the veteran lawmaker's home state.

Stevens' lawyers, led by Brendan Sullivan, said in their motion that the trial should take place in the "center of gravity" of the case. They also cited the the senator's re-election campaign.

"Senator Stevens's residence in Alaska is the focus of the indictment... To assist the jury in understanding these renovations, Senator Stevens intends to request that the court permit a jury visit to his Girdwood residence," they said in the motion.

"Were venue transferred to Alaska, Senator Stevens would have the opportunity to campaign in the evenings and on weekends during the trial," they added.

Stevens, an 84-year old icon in Alaskan politics, is in a bid to win his seventh term this election year against six other Republican hopefuls. The state party primary to determine the Republican nominee for his seat is August 26.

He pleaded not guilty last Thursday to a seven-count indictment for "knowingly and willfully" concealing gifts from an oil services company in his financial disclosure forms from 1999-2006. He is accused of accepting $250,000 worth of gifts from Veco Corporation, in return for help in obtaining contracts and the construction of a natural gas pipeline.

Stevens is a former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the Senate's longest-serving Republican. He has been part of a federal investigation since Veco's former chief executive officer, Bill Allen, testified last year that the company was responsible for remodeling Stevens' home. The senator's home was raided by federal agents in July 2007.

He has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. "I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years. My public service began when I served in World War II. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator," Stevens said last week.