Ted Stevens seeks new ethics trial

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska is seeking a new ethics trial based on a complaint filed by an FBI agent who worked on his case.

Agent Chad Joy charges that prosecutors and a fellow agent in the FBI's Anchorage office contrived to improperly conceal evidence from the court and the defense during Stevens' trial last fall, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

"I have witnessed or learned of serious violations of policy, rules and procedures as well as possible criminal violations," Joy wrote in an affidavit sent to the Justice Department.

Stevens, who is awaiting sentencing, was convicted on charges of failing to reveal goods and services he received from Alaska oil-services tycoon Bill Allen and others.

U. S. District Judge Emmett G. Sullivan, who presided over the original trial, will conduct a hearing Friday to consider the request by Stevens' attorneys for a new trial based on Joy's charges.

Stevens, a Republican, served in the Senate for 40 years.