Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens Convicted of Corruption

WASHINGTON (CN) - A federal jury found Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens guilty of felony corruption for lying about home renovations and other freebies he received from a wealthy oil contractor.

Stevens, 84, was convicted of seven felonies for omitting $250,000 in gifts and services on Senate disclosure forms. Prosecutors claimed the longest-serving Republican senator failed to report expensive renovations to his cabin in Girdwood, Alaska.

During the month-long trial, jurors learned that employees for VECO Corp., an oil services company, souped up Stevens' A-frame cabin with a wrap-around porch, a sauna, two decks and a wine cellar - without billing the legislator for the upgrades.

Stevens insisted that he paid $160,000 for the project, and said his wife oversaw the renovations.

He faces up to five years in prison on each count. The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date.

Though the verdict makes Stevens a felon, the senator does not have to withdraw from next week's election and can serve another term if re-elected, as felons aren't barred from serving in Congress. Stevens is running against Democratic challenger Mark Begich.

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