The general contractor Stevens is referring to is Anchorage carpenter Augie Paone. Paone testified that he knew VECO employees were on the job, but said they were not on his payroll or under his supervision. Paone said he assumed they were in charge and also getting paid, but he didn't know by whom.
Mrs. Stevens also spoke about how former VECO CEO and family friend Bill Allen offered to help by suggesting companies and laborers to get the job done.
But there were some annoying things about having Allen involved in the project, including unwanted furniture moved in, the delivery of a large, unwanted gas grill, and insulin needles left around the home, which indicated that Allen -- a type II diabetic -- had been spending time there.
The prosecution performed a grueling cross examination of Catherine Stevens.
How, they asked her, could you leave the well-being of your husband's beloved and only true home in such uncertain hands?
Prosecutors pointed out that Mrs. Stevens, a lawyer, never entered written contracts for the work, never checked to make sure laborers and companies on the job were bonded and insured, and never asked for a refund when things that she said "horrified" her occurred.
For example, she hated the steel stairs and platforms constructed on the exterior of the house, but never had them removed and never sought a refund. Mrs. Stevens testified she believed Paone had built the stairs, but she never went to Paone directly and complained.
The stairs were built by VECO employees, constructed with material VECO provided, and Paone testified earlier in the trial that he, too, felt the stairs were inappropriate for the home.
Prosecutors also questioned Mrs. Stevens about the lower deck on the home, which was finished in 2002. They asked her how she thought she had paid for its installation when her last payment to Paone was made in 2001.
Contact Jill Burke at jburke@ktuu.com
This is a breaking story. Return to KTUU.com for updates and watch the Channel 2 News evening broadcasts for the complete report.
