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

Oct. 9, 2008— -- Sen. Ted Stevens began his defense against charges that he submitted inaccurate financial disclosure forms for gifts and renovations to his Alaska home, by calling as witnesses a senator from the rival party, sled dog champions and an Alaskan music folk singer.

The senator, Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, testified as a character witness for Stevens, R-Alaska.

The other witnesses appeared to side with Stevens on the disputed value he reported for a sled dog he was given.

Inouye, the leadoff defense witness, described his and Stevens' careers in the U.S. Senate, which both have spanned more than 40 years.

"I can assure you: His word is good," Inouye told the jury under brief questioning from lead defense attorney Brendan Sullivan. "It's good enough to take to the bank."

The prosecution then began questioning Inouye, who seemed confused at times by the line of questioning.

"How do you judge character?" prosecutor Nicholas Marsh asked.

Inouye, who, like Stevens, is a World War II veteran, said of his friend, "He served in the Army. ... He was in the Flying Tigers. ... We have the same values."

Asked what he thought of people who may be accused of making misleading statements, Inouye said, "If you're having me suggest I make my judgment on rumors ... I don't."

"If you learned someone lied to you and was under oath," Marsh said, "stood up and swore to tell the truth but then told a lie, would it have an impact?"

"Are you talking about Ted Stevens?" Inouye asked.

Marsh said that he was asking Inouye a hypothetical question, to which Inouye replied, "You should ask me if Ted Stevens lied under oath. ... I have never heard him lie under oath, and I would not expect that."

Inouye later added, "I'm not inclined to answer hypothetical questions."

Sullivan countered the prosecution's questions by asking Inouye, "Sen. Stevens' reputation for honor and integrity are unquestioned?"

"Absolute," Inouye said.