Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens departs the U.S. District Court in Washington in this October 22, 2008 file photo. A U.S. judge threw out a corruption verdict against former Senator Stevens on April 7, 2009 and ordered a criminal probe into "shocking" Justice Department misconduct, in a blow to a legal system marred by accusations of Bush administration abuses. Reuters Pictures logo Reuters Pictures 34 months ago

Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens departs the U.S. District Court in Washington in this October 22, 2008 file photo. A U.S. judge threw out a corruption verdict against former Senator Stevens on April 7, 2009 and ordered a criminal probe into "shocking" Justice Department misconduct, in a blow to a legal system marred by accusations of Bush administration abuses.