• 29
  • November
    2011

Investigators have recently uncovered more prosecutorial misconduct in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens. The egregious misconduct committed by prosecutors in the Justice Department tarnished the integrity of federal criminal prosecution, but - more importantly - it buried evidence that favored the accused man's acquittal and undoubtedly aided his wrongful conviction.

Stevens' conviction was overturned in 2009 when a U.S. District Judge ruled that the prosecution's misconduct unfairly tainted the trial involving public corruption charges. The judge hired an attorney to investigate the prosecution's conduct and he discovered several instances of misconduct, including:

  • The concealing of evidence that corroborated Stevens' testimony and defense
  • The concealing of evidence that destroyed the credibility of the prosecution's key witness

The investigating attorney's report has helped restore justice, but it appears that prosecutors will escape charges of criminal contempt due to a legal technicality. It is a shame, as prosecutors are in a unique position where their unscrupulous conduct can wrongfully cause a man or woman to lose their freedom and livelihood. Prosecutors must be held to the same standards they aim to hold criminal defendants accountable for.

Prosecutors at any level - county, state or federal - are supposed to uphold the interests of justice. A prosecutor's duty is not necessarily to convict the accused; it is to ensure that justice is served and a wrongful conviction never brings justice.

If you have been wrongful convicted of a white-collar crime, you should contact a Philadelphia federal appeals lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Source: Reuters, "More prosecutor misconduct in Sen. Stevens case," James Vicini, Nov. 21, 2011