Sen. Stevens pleads not guilty to hiding gifts

By James Vicini

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Sen. Ted Stevens pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of concealing more than $250,000 in gifts from an oil services company, and his lawyer asked for a quick trial in an effort to clear his name before the November election.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan agreed to the request for a fast trial and scheduled jury selection to begin on September 24.

Stevens, who has served 40 years in the Senate, appeared in court for his arraignment on seven counts of false statements by failing to disclose the extensive renovations to his house in Alaska, home furnishings and other gifts he received.

The plea of not guilty was expected. Two days ago, after he became the first sitting U.S. senator to face criminal charges in 15 years, the Alaska senator said in a statement that he intended to prove his innocence in court.

"We plead not guilty your honor," said defense lawyer Brendan Sullivan, as the 84-year-old Stevens silently stood next to him in front of the judge.

Stevens is the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history. He arrived early with his lawyers and security detail, and had to wait in the courtroom for about 45 minutes before judge began the hearing shortly after the scheduled time.

For most of the hearing, Stevens, who practiced law in Alaska in the 1950s and later served as the U.S. attorney in the state, sat impassively at a table with his two lawyers.

Stevens was already seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans heading into November's elections. The indictment seems likely to damage any chance of his winning another six-year term in a race where he was already trailing his Democratic opponent in the polls.

NO PLEA BARGAIN

Justice Department lawyer Brenda Morris estimated that it would take three weeks to put on the prosecution's case.

Stevens was accused of making false statements on his Senate financial disclosure forms that he filed from 1999 to 2006, leaving out the gifts from the VECO Corp, once one of Alaska's largest oilfield contractors.

Stevens is the highest-profile lawmaker to be charged in an Alaska political corruption investigation that began in 2004 and has resulted in seven convictions.

Sullivan said he would request that the case be moved to Alaska, but the Justice Department prosecutor vowed to oppose that. The judge said he thought it appropriate for the case to be in Washington, D.C.

The judge allowed Stevens to remain free while he campaigns and continues his Senate work, but Stevens has agreed to surrender his passport while awaiting trial.

Stevens has received the support from some colleagues, but many have declined comment other than to say he is innocent until proven guilty.