"Dear Bill," Stevens wrote to Allen in October of 2002. "When I think of the many ways in which you make my life easier and more enjoyable I lose count."
That letter came after Allen had arranged for roof upgrades, a first floor deck, and tree lighting.
"Thanks for the work on the chalet," Stevens wrote. "You owe me a bill."
Stevens sent a similar letter in November.
"Many thanks for all you have done to make our lives easier and our home more enjoyable. The Christmas lights top it all," he wrote.
Then, in parenthesis, came the reminder: "(Don't forget we need a bill for what's been done at the chalet.)"
But Allen never sent a bill. When asked why, Allen said a friend of Stevens who was overseeing things said not to.
Allen says Girdwood restaurant owner Bob Persons put it bluntly.
"Don't worry about getting a bill. Ted is just covering his ass," Allen recalled Person saying.
In one of those letters, Stevens even cites New Jersey Sen. Robert Torricelli, who was under investigation for illegal campaign donations.
The implication from Wednesday's testimony seems to be that Stevens showed concern for playing by the rules, he knew the rules, but, as they prosecutors say, he still chose not to follow them.
Allen says he went to Stevens for help on several projects, like freeing up a financial snag involving a pipeline in Pakistan, developing a worker training program in the Russian far east, securing a support contract for the National Science Foundation, and, most recently, seeking Stevens' help convincing Alaska legislators to vote for Gov. Frank Murkowski's desired oil tax legislation.
Of course, that legislation was so important to VECO, Allen bribed several Alaska lawmakers in hopes of influencing the outcome.
Audio tapes of conversations between Stevens and Allen are expected to be played in the next few days.
After he cut a deal with federal investigators, Bill Allen made at least one phone call to Stevens and recorded it.
Contact Jill Burke at jburke@ktuu.com
