U.S. argues against Stevens trial move

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. prosecutors laid out their case against moving the trial of indicted U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to his home state of Alaska.

U.S. Justice Department lawyers argued Monday the case should remain in the District of Columbia "where the crimes were committed, where the indictment was properly returned and where all the parties and their counsel are located," The Hill reported Tuesday.

A federal grand jury in Washington indicted Stevens, R-Alaska, on seven felony counts of filing false financial disclosure statements to conceal $250,000 in gifts and services from an Alaskan oil services company.

Stevens, the longest serving Republican in the Senate, is serving his sixth term in the Senate and is campaigning for a seventh. He won a request to expedite the trial so it ends before the general election.

Prosecutors said in their filing that Stevens often lives in Washington while Congress is in session, has selected local lawyers and filed financial disclosure forms in Washington. They also said Stevens has begun campaigning in Alaska, proclaiming his innocence during events and potentially tainting possible jurors if the case is moved.

Stevens' attorneys have until Wednesday to respond. A hearing on the venue change is Aug. 20.