Alaska senator charged over gifts

: Mr . Stevens was already facing a tough re-election battle in November

BBC: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has been charged with making false statements on his Senate financial disclosure form.

The Republican lawmaker has been under investigation for his involvement with Veco, an oil company whose executives have confessed to bribing officials.

In Mr Stevens's indictment, officials alleged that he failed to disclose $250,000 worth of work done on his house free of charge by Veco employees.

Mr Stevens, 84, is the longest-serving Republican in the US Senate.

He has not immediately responded to the indictment.