Federal prosecutors reveal more of the dirt that they have on Senator Ted Stevens.

Federal prosecutors offered a glimpse of previously unseen evidence against U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens in new court filings Thursday, including allegations that Stevens used insider help to turn a secret $5,000 investment in a Florida condo development into more than $100,000 in quick profits.

The government also dismissed assertions by Stevens that his conduct was shielded by the constitution as a member of Congress, citing nine examples of Stevens' "errands" and requests involving Veco that had nothing to do with protected lawmaking.
Among them: an intercepted telephone call in which Stevens discusses how his son Ben, then the state Senate President, planned to push a bill favored by the oil industry as a prelude to gas development.

The new filings go substantially further than the indictment handed up against Stevens last month charging him with seven counts of failing to disclose gifts from 1999 through 2006. Most of the alleged gifts were from the former Alaska-based oil field service company Veco and its politically active chairman, Bill Allen. Allen and Veco vice president Rick Smith have pleaded guilty to bribing elected officials and are working with government prosecutors and are expected to testify at Stevens' trial, tentatively scheduled to start with jury selection Sept. 22.

So what new and decidely tasty new morsels are revealed about Uncle Ted's ethical lapses?

The allegations concerning the Florida condo emerged in another document filed electronically by prosecutors Wednesday night, hours after the court clerk closed for the day. That document also alleges that Stevens sought jobs from Veco for a son and a grandchild and a new Jeep Cherokee for his daughter Lily in 2005.

Hmm so far I have to say that the governments case is not very impressive. I mean sure they have a few small ethical violations and financial hanky panky, but none of it will lead any longtime Alaskan to feel any great sense of outrage.

For the FBI's sake I hope there is more. But if there is not, they better make damn sure this trial is not held in Alaska. Because my friends not only will Stevens beat the rap, but he will undoubtedly win financial compensation for having his character impugned by the Feds. And you can take that to the bank.