Prosecutorial misconduct all too common

It was almost serendipity that various interests came together in a way that led to former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens having his corruption convictions set aside. Besides the FBI agents (there are some decent ones) deciding to snitch on the prosecutors, whose conduct does look (pending further investigation) intentional and beyond the pale, Eric Holder had motive as well. He obviously wants to let the Justice Dept. know there's a new sheriff in town, and by doing it in a way that sets aside the conviction of a senator from the other party, he creates the impression of integrity.

Of course Ted Stevens, who would likely have narrowly won reelection without the conviction a few days earlier, is out his senate seat, but the corrupt SOB (the worst corruption in politics is that which is open and legal and this guy was an unabashed porker who bragged about it) deserved it. When I was in Washington in the 1970s a friend of mine went to work for him and he used to tell me stories about just how shamelessly Stevens went after federal money back then for any project that could enhance his standing and career in Alaska.

As this Register editorial notes, however, prosecutorial misconduct is much more common than we ever know about. Prosecutors are judged by their wins, and they cut corners all the time. Not sure I have a solution, except perhaps to go after them personally (which almost never happens even when it's uncovered and disbar them or charge them criminally. But the "justice" system is such an inbred fraternity that seems unlikely too unless somebody has more to gain by looking honest, as Holder did in this instance.

A porker gets nailed

Here's a link to the Register's editorial on the indictment of Alaska GOP Sen. Ted Stevens. It's fascinating how often major players get hung up by what seem like relatively picayune transactions. Stevens directed literally billions of dollars seized by force from unwilling taxpayers all over the country and lavished it on interests in Alaska. Yet he got caught concealing $250,000 worth of renovations and gifts over several years for his vacation home. Pocket change.

Sometimes the most nefarious things politicians do are perfectly legal and even hailed as public-spirited by some. By laundering the transaction through the federal government Stevens (like most congresscritters) fuzzed the true nature of the deals, which was to take money from ordinary taxpayers and give it to friends, supporters and important interests in his home state. Stealing on behalf of others. Stealing and sharing to proceeds.

A friend of mine worked for Sen. Steven back in the 1970s when I was in Washington. His pattern was already well-established. He voted with the GOP most of the time, so he was considered reliable, but his only true conviction seemed to be that his job was to raid the federal treasury on behalf of Alaskan interests as extensively as possible. Others do the same of course, but he performed on a truly grandiose scale. Sadly,that's what a great deal of politics amounts to.