Posted on 11/03/2007 10:48:57 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Federal authorities investigating Sen. Ted Stevens are trolling the Alaska fishing industry for evidence of whether the powerful Republican pushed seafood legislation that benefited his lobbyist son.
So far, the most public aspect of the investigation was the FBI raid on Stevens' home in July, with agents seeking evidence of the senator's relationship with a corrupt Alaska oil contractor.
But authorities have also quietly amassed evidence about fishing.
After serving subpoenas throughout the industry last year, investigators recently returned to Seattle, home to many of the boats and processors that bring Alaska's seafood to market.
Industry officials and attorneys involved in the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity because authorities have told them not to discuss the probe, said investigators are asking about federal legislation that directly or indirectly aided the senator's son, Ben, who is a state lobbyist and politician.
The legislation was passed as earmarks, brief spending items that lawmakers tack onto bills to steer federal money to pet projects. Ted Stevens, an unapologetic user of earmarks, is the biggest champion for Alaska's $2 billion-a-year seafood industry.
Stevens has said he won't discuss the investigation so it won't look like he's trying to influence it. His spokesman, Aaron Saunders had no comment and Ben Stevens' attorney did not respond to messages.
Among the pieces of Stevens-sponsored legislation being eyed:
_A $100 million federal loan program approved in 2000 to buy out Alaska crab boats, trim the size of the fleet and boost prices. The Bering Sea Crab Effort Reduction Fund, an industry group that supported the buyout program, hired Ben Stevens' company, Advance North, as a consultant.
_A $30 million earmark Ted Stevens used to create the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, which provided federal money to promote Alaska seafood. Ben Stevens was the board's first chairman
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
Another day, another scandal.
Look for Chuck Schumer and others to have meetings with Mark Begich, the popular Mayor of Anchorage, about a possible candidacy.
IF they are going after one earmark they need to NOT stop there.
I get the impression that a large number of Alaska politicians were leaving rocks overturned and plenty of open evidence to toss them into jail. If you wanted some special bill passed...you just visited a state congressman, paid him a some cash or special favors...and a couple of months later....got your bill passed. Maybe its time I relocate to Alaska and get into state politics.
That might not be a bad idea.
Tom Daschle is deeply saddened. Why didn’t the FBI ever investigate him? His lobbyist wife represented the airlines.
It could also be that this particular man would have pursued these bills whether they benefited his son or not.
It may have been that his son looked at the future, with his knowledge of what the politicians had planned, and invested himself in a business that would grow.
I’m not claiming that Alaska pols are innocent of favoritism, bribery, or crimes.
But there are two sides to any story, and I’d rather know more before making any judgment.
(Cause if it’s all true, maybe I need to move up North too!)
Dingy Harry’s son’s are all lobbyists as is Murtha’s brother. The Democrats don’t want these investigations to go forward.
yet the Clintons get away with their string of murders.
F$%KING ENOUGH ALREADY. Throw this CORRUPT, WORTHLESS BUFFOON THE HELL OUT OF THE PARTY!
Stevens is crooked as far as I can see.
We have crooked Republicans here in PA and throw them out in primary elections.
Alaskans will just have to find a real conservative up there to replace Stevens.
Well while they are at it could they please take a look into a few of Dingy Harry’s sons activities in Nevada?
He is being attacked localy in “Greenie” ads as a Global Warming Denier. In Alaska, that may be all he needs to get relected.
Hang him and his son.
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