Powell defends Stevens' integrity

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By Tom Ramstack

Sen. Ted Stevens used the star power of former Secretary of State Colin Powell to defend his reputation Friday as the Alaska Republican stands trial on charges of lying on financial disclosure forms.

Mr. Powell appeared as a character witness during the second day since defense attorneys started calling witnesses in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Mr. Stevens' reputation for honesty and integrity was, "In a word, sterling," Mr. Powell said.

"As we say in the infantry, this is a guy you take on a long patrol," said the retired four-star Army general.

The two men have known each other for about a quarter-century, much of it related to military budgets while Mr. Stevens was chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Stevens, 84, is accused by the Justice Department of accepting $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts from Bill Allen, former head of oil services company VECO Corp. He failed to mention the gifts in financial disclosure forms senators are required to file every year.

Mr. Stevens said he erroneously believed his wife had paid for upgrades that included decks and a sauna while the senator was busy in Washington.

Evidence against him includes testimony from Mr. Allen, who has pleaded guilty to bribing state legislators, and FBI wiretaps during which friends of Mr. Stevens are accused of plotting to conceal the gifts.

His attorneys have not said whether Mr. Stevens will take the stand in his own defense. He faces up to five years in prison on each of the seven charges should he be convicted. Federal sentencing guidelines would probably result in a much less severe punishment.

Mr. Powell, however, was adamant in his support.

"There was never any suggestion that he would do anything that was improper," he said under questioning by defense attorney Brendan Sullivan.

He described Mr. Stevens as a "trusted individual whose word you could rely on."

Justice Department attorneys only briefly cross-examined Mr. Powell, asking him whether he ever visited Mr. Stevens' home in Girdwood, Alaska. Mr. Powell said he never had been there.

Mr. Powell testified one day after Sen. Daniel Inouye, Hawaii Democrat, who also praised Mr. Stevens.

"Would you trust him with your life?" attorney Mr. Sullivan asked the lawmaker on Thursday.

"Absolutely," Mr. Inouye replied. "As veterans, we shared common values."

But star power may not be prudent for Mr. Stevens at this time.

The defense strategy that has relied heavily on big-name character witnesses drew a warning from U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, who said the testimony appeared to be redundant. He is considering cutting the defense team's list of witnesses from 10 to five, he said.

Mr. Stevens' attorneys defended the long list of character witnesses, saying in a court filing that they "come from different communities and different walks of life."

Among character witnesses on the defense list who have not yet testified are Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat. Mr. Stevens' attorneys said Mr. Kennedy would testify only if his health improves.