Alaska governor: Time for Stevens to talk

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The governor of Alaska says U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens owes the people of the state some explanation of the federal investigation into Stevens and others.

Gov. Sarah Palin -- who, like Stevens is a Republican -- said she and other Alaskans are willing to cut the senator some slack because of his long service to the state.

"But not hearing anything in terms of information that can be shared regarding the senator's innocence is kind of frustrating for Alaskans," Palin told The Anchorage Daily News. "Alaskans are getting more anxious to hear any information that he can provide regarding his innocence."

FBI agents raided Stevens’ house in Girdwood in July. He is reportedly the target of an investigation into whether the oil services company Veco paid for renovations to the property.

Before the raid, Stevens denied any wrongdoing. Since then, he has kept silent.

Former state Rep. Pete Kott is on trial on similar charges.