Alaska Senator Ted Stevens under criminal investigation for corruption

May 30, 2007

Anchorage, Alaska - The FBI and a federal grand jury are examining an extensive remodeling project at the Girdwood, Alaska, home of Senator Ted Stevens that was overseen by indicted executives at VECO Corporation.

The FBI and a federal grand jury are examining an extensive remodeling project at the Girdwood, Alaska, home of Senator Ted Stevens that was overseen by indicted executives at VECO Corporation.

Contractors who worked on the project said the FBI asked them to turn over their records from the job and one said he was called to testify about the project before a federal grand jury in Anchorage.

Another contractor says Bill Allen, the indicted former head of VECO, hired him to complete the framing and most of the interior carpentry at Stevens' home. But the company in charge of the remodel, Christensen Builders Incorporated, says as far as they know, the senator paid all his bills.

Ted Stevens is refusing to comment and yesterday said "I've put out a statement and it says, 'I do not comment on things under investigation.' Thank you."

FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez says his agency will not confirm nor deny any aspect of a pending investigation.

Stevens' son, former Alaska senate president Ben Stevens, is also awaiting his arrest on corruption, extortion, tax evasion, and bribery charges.