A federal judge has set a tentative Sept. 24 trial date for Sen. Ted Stevens, granting the veteran lawmaker’s request for a speedy trial before the Nov. 4 general election.

A defiant Stevens, R-Alaska, pleaded innocent Thursday to seven federal felony charges that he made false statements on his Senate financial disclosure forms.

In arguing for an expedited trial date, Stevens’ lawyer pointed out that the indictment was announced just 28 days before the Aug. 26 Alaska primary, in which Stevens faces six lesser-known opponents, and 98 days before the Nov. 4 general election.

“I’m here today not to seek any special favors because he’s a senator ... But I do want to ask the court to give consideration to the fact that he would like to clear his name before the general election,” said Brendan Sullivan, Stevens’ attorney.

The 84-year old Stevens, the Senate’s longest-serving Republican, is trailing his likely Democratic opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, in the polls as he seeks his seventh full term.

“The reason for your request is not an insignificant one,” said U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan.

Stevens’ attorneys plan to ask the judge to move the trial from Washington, D.C., to Alaska, in part because they anticipate that 90 percent of the roughly 40 to 50 witnesses that could be called reside in Stevens’ home state.

Sullivan set Monday, Aug. 4, as the deadline for Stevens’ lawyers to file the change of venue motion. All other pre-trial motions are due Aug. 14.

Sevens strode past waiting reporters and cameramen into the courthouse in Washington, D.C.

Wearing a light gray suit and an American flag lapel pin, Stevens took his seat at the defense table, where he conferred in hushed tones with his attorneys before his arraignment began. During the proceedings, Stevens sat quietly and appeared relaxed. He did not speak with reporters as he left the court house and climbed into a waiting black Cadillac amid a barrage of flashbulbs and returned to work at the Capitol.

Stevens was released without bond but was ordered to surrender his passport.

Prosecutors said they expect to take about three weeks to present their case, while Stevens’ lawyers said the defense would probably need about a week.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenda K. Morris said no plea deals have been offered to Stevens or were currently planned.

Morris said prosecutors would turn over the lion’s share of the documents, video tapes and audio recordings they plan to use to make their case to Stevens’ lawyers next week.

A 28-page indictment, issued July 29, charges that Stevens concealed his acceptance of more than $250,000 worth of benefits from Veco Corp., an oil services company, and its former chief executive, Bill Allen, from 1999 to 2006.

The benefits allegedly included substantial renovation and enlargement of his house in Girdwood, Alaska, household goods and automobiles that were significantly more valuable than ones he offered in exchange.

In 1999, Allen traded Stevens a new Land Rover for a 1964 Ford Mustang and $5,000, according to the indictment.

The indictment also claims Stevens used his Senate position to help Veco — at the request of Allen and other company employees — pursue federal grants, explore projects in Pakistan and Russia, and construct a natural gas pipeline in Alaska’s North Slope.

Justice Department officials have emphasized that Stevens is not accused of a direct quid pro quo. He has not been charged with bribery, a more serious offense that is often difficult to prove.

The charges against Stevens mark the latest in an ongoing probe of corruption in Alaska politics. His home was raided in July 2007 by the FBI and the IRS, which was reportedly investigating whether Veco covered Stevens’ home renovation costs.

Allen and former VECO Vice President Richard L. Smith pleaded guilty in May 2007 to providing more than $400,000 in corrupt payments to Alaska public officials.

Two lobbyists and three Alaska state lawmakers also have been convicted in the scandal, including Peter Kott, the former speaker of the Alaska House, who was convicted of extortion, bribery and conspiracy last year and sentenced to six years in prison.

When his indictment was announced, Stevens — as required by Republican Conference rules — temporarily relinquished his ranking position on several panels, including the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will replace him for now as ranking Republican on Commerce, and Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, who already is ranking Republican on the full Appropriations Committee, will fill in as top GOP member of the Defense Subcommittee.

First posted July 31, 2008 1:37 p.m.