Jurors Hear Stevens Talk Of Possible Punishment

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Phone Tapes in Stevens Corruption Trial

Three secretly recorded phone conversations the jurors heard in which Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens told Bill Allen, a chief prosecution witness, that he didn't believe they had done anything wrong but could expect a fine and possibly some jail time if convicted.

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Stevens, 84, who is seeking reelection to a seventh full term, also urged Allen to take care of his health and encouraged him to work out on gym equipment at his Girdwood home. Allen testified earlier yesterday that he bought that equipment, including a punching bag.

In another call, Stevens told Allen that his attorneys had warned him to be careful in his dealings with the Veco executive to avoid a charge of obstructing justice.

"I think they are probably listening to this conversation right now, for Christ's sakes," Stevens said, referring to federal agents. He added that he didn't care if they were eavesdropping because "I would tell them the same things if they were right in front of us."

Later, Stevens said investigators "can't really hurt us."

"They aren't going to shoot us," Stevens said. "It's not Iraq."

The men spoke several times about their affection for each other.

At the end of the first tape-recorded call, Stevens told Allen: "You are one of the greatest friends I have ever had."

In another call, Allen said: "Ted, I love you, you know."

Last week, Allen testified that his company had financed much of the work done on Stevens's home from 1999 through 2006. That included jacking the house up on stilts to build a new first floor and later a wraparound deck. He said he even paid a portion of a plumber's bill.

Allen has testified that he paid for the work because he liked Stevens. He also said he never sent invoices to the senator to avoid running into trouble with his firm's top accountant.

Under cross-examination, Allen testified that he thought Stevens would have paid any bills he sent to him if they were for reasonable amounts. Stevens always paid for his meals and airfare on private jets, Allen testified.

Stevens's attorneys have asserted that senator would never have lied on financial disclosure forms. They say the senator and his wife paid $160,000 for the renovations, handled by a subcontractor, and thought that was a fair market price for the work.

And, the lawyers argue, Stevens would have paid for other bills if he had received them. Allen also admitted that he gave Stevens a gas grill and kitschy Christmas lights without asking Stevens or his wife.

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan is likely to rule soon on a defense motion to dismiss the case or declare a mistrial because prosecutors allegedly did not disclose exculpatory evidence to Stevens's legal team. Sullivan has chastised prosecutors twice and ordered them to turn over to defense lawyers a stack of grand jury transcripts and witness interviews.

Prosecutors with the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section deny any wrongdoing. "Contrary to all the theatrics and hyperbole from the defense, no one has attempted to hide evidence or hold back any discoverable item," prosecutors wrote.