Senator, Sled Dog Champs, 'Hobo Jim' Testify at Stevens Trial

How Much Was Sled Dog Worth?

After Inouye stepped down from the witness chair, the defense took aim at gifts the prosecution claims Stevens received from individuals -- including Bill Allen, the former CEO of VECO, a now-defunct oil services firm -- but did not enter properly on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms.

Related

Key Govt. Witness 'Wanted to Help' Stevens

Stevens' Drinking, Fishing Pal Takes Stand

Judge Blasts Prosecutors in Stevens Case

In one instance, the government alleged Stevens inaccurately valued a sled dog given to him by friends at a charity event. The dog was auctioned for approximately $1,000 at the 2003 Kenai River Classic. But when the high bidders passed the dog along to Stevens, he claimed it as a $250 gift.

Dean Osmar, an Iditarod sled dog racer and champion who bred the dog, testified that it was a runt of a litter and not worth much more than $200.

Next up on the witness stand was James Varsos, also known as "Hobo Jim," an Alaskan music star who received the dog from Osmar and donated it for auction. Varsos testified that the breeder said he could take a runt of the litter for the charity event.

David Monson, another sled dog champion and longtime owner of a sled dog racing kennel, eventually took the Stevens' dog and other dogs from Washington back to Alaska after it was clear the dogs were not well-suited for life with Stevens in the nation's capital.

"We did question," Monson said, "if it was a good idea to have a sled dog in downtown Washington, D.C.

"They weren't very good as sled dogs." he added.

The defense will continue calling witnesses Friday. It is expected the defense will call more than 20 witnesses in the next several days, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell.