The Alaska Senator's home improvements proved a lot more costly than any contractors' estimate. In a verdict that came just eight days before election day, a federal jury found Stevens, 85, guilty of accepting and concealing tens of thousands of dollars in free home renovations and other gifts from an oil field services company. The longest-serving Republican in the Senate, he attempted to become the first convicted felon to win election to the Senate. Ultimately, he lost to Democrat Mark Begich by less than 4,000 votes. Stevens, who was once named Alaskan of the century, said he would not ask President George W. Bush to pardon his seven felony convictions.