Rules: Stevens can report finances in Jan.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens has until January to officially report financial details regarding the attorneys defending him in federal court, regulations say.

Senate Ethics Committee rules say an initial report regarding a senator's legal expense fund is not due until after it has operated for a full quarter and Stevens' quarter officially began Oct. 1, The Hill reported Friday.

The Senate Ethics Manual regulations mean Stevens, who is facing federal court charges of not disclosing more than $250,000 worth of gifts, has until Jan. 15, 2009, to issue a corresponding report.

Stevens has long maintained he would release details of his defense fund based on current Senate regulations, The Hill said.

"Again, I tell you, I pay some out of my own pocket, but there is a legal defense fund and it will be reported when the time comes" he said in an Aug. 15 interview.

The newspaper said the regulated due date will enable Stevens to wait until after his heated electoral Senate battle with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is concluded to report the financial information.