Closing arguments given in Stevens trial

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, was described as a politician eager for freebies and a lawmaker smeared by an admitted crook as his trial wound up Tuesday.

Jurors in federal court in Washington were expected to begin deliberations Wednesday, The Washington Post reported. Lawyers gave their final arguments two weeks before Stevens, 84, faces the voters, seeking another term.

Stevens is charged with failing to report $250,000 in remodeling to his chalet in Girdwood, Alaska, on his Senate disclosure forms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bottini said Veco, an oil services company, paid for the work. Veco's former chief executive, Bill Allen, was the star prosecution witness.

"This case is about an elected public official who made a conscious decision to hide the fact he was receiving substantial financial benefits," Bottini said.

Brendan Sullivan, Stevens' attorney, countered that Allen "had a motive to lie." Sullivan argued Stevens asked to be billed for all work that was done.

Stevens was appointed to the Senate in 1968 and is now the longest-serving Republican ever.