The Department of Justice asked a federal judge to withdraw all charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who lost his seat last year after being convicted in a corruption case.

In a statement, Attorney General Eric Holder cited instances of prosecutorial misconduct. He said government attorneys failed to turn over key evidence to the defense team.

Stevens is the former chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and was one of the most powerful members of the Senate. He used his position to help Alaska Native corporations and to pressure Alaska tribes and villages, who disagreed with his stances on tribal sovereignty.

Get the Story:
Sen. Stevens ‘got screwed’ by Justice (The Hill 4/2)
Holder Asks Judge to Drop Case Against Ex-Senator (The Washington Post 4/2)
Ex-Senator's Friends Say This Victory Is Bittersweet (The Washington Post 4/2)
Justice Dept. Moves to Void Stevens Case (The New York Times 4/2)