Judge temporarily lifts Stevens' law license

[December 13, 2008]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Convicted Sen. Ted Stevens has temporarily lost his license to practice law in the District of Columbia, a decision that could become permanent after further proceedings.

Stevens' case now goes to the District's Board on Professional Responsibility, which can reprimand Stevens or ask the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to disbar him.

The chief judge of that court, Eric Washington, issued the temporary suspension order Thursday.

The 85-year-old Stevens, R-Alaska, lost his bid for re-election. The Senate's longest-serving Republican was convicted on seven counts of lying on Senate financial disclosure documents to hide hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and home renovations.

The conviction triggered the procedure against Stevens, who has the right to contest the action.

The retiring senator has asked for a new trial. He has not been sentenced.

[Associated Press]

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