Stevens Testimony Ends Bitterly

The prosecution got tough, and Ted Stevens testy, on the senator’s last day of testimony in his Washington corruption trial, the Hill reports. The prosecution challenged Stevens with emails that seemed to undercut assertions he knew nothing of gifts allegedly given to him by oil boss Bill Allen. At one point, Stevens was remonstrated by the judge for trying to evade a question.

Communications between Stevens and Allen make no mention of the contractor Stevens said he paid to execute a 2000 renovation of his Alaska home. Another line of questioning ended bizarrely when the 84-year-old Republican angrily answered “no” when asked if he planned to re-gift leather furniture to his son. Closing arguments are likely tomorrow. (More Ted Stevens stories.)