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The Sunlight Foundation uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Underlying all of our efforts is a fundamental belief that increased transparency will improve the public's confidence in government
The Sunlight Foundation Blog
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Sen. Stevens – One: Public Interest – Zero
U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens’ trial for corruption has gone before a jury for deliberations. Federal prosecutors accuse the long-serving lawmaker of lying on Senate forms to conceal more than $250,000 in renovations on his home in Alaska and other gifts from a former chief of an oil services company. But it appears as if Stevens’ defense lawyers have secured a key victory by convincing the judge to frame a key question in his favor.
Earlier this month, our friends at Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) wrote that every charge brought against the Senator relates to his failure to disclose gifts and debts on his Senate financial disclosure form. It’s critical to the public’s right to know “where and from whom our public servants receive gifts, loans, and payments,” as TCS wrote. “The government, in its opening statement and throughout the trial, has maintained that the public right to know is an important element in this case and that Stevens’ failure to disclose was a breach of this right.”
