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A federal judge Tuesday set aside the conviction of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.

He also initiated criminal contempt proceedings against the government lawyers who prosecuted Stevens. He appointed an independent, nongovernment attorney to investigate the matter.

"Until recently, my faith in the criminal justice system was unwavering. But what some members of this prosecution team did nearly destroyed my faith. Their conduct has consequences they must know can never be reversed," Stevens said in a statement read to the court.

"But today ... my faith has been restored ... [I have] new hope that others may be spared from similar miscarriages of justice."

Stevens added that he would "encourage the enactment of legislation to reform laws relating to the responsibilities and duties of those entrusted with the solemn task of enforcing federal criminal laws."

In issuing his ruling, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan noted that the Department of Justice's investigation into potential misconduct by government prosecutors had already gone on for six months with no result.

"The silence is deafening," Sullivan said.

Stevens maintained his innocence throughout a government probe that led to an indictment and conviction last year for failing to report gifts of value on mandatory Senate financial forms.

Soon after he was found guilty, Stevens, a Republican, lost his bid for re-election to challenger Mark Begich, the Democratic former mayor of Anchorage.

Last week, when asked how the former senator could ever clear his name, defense attorney Brendan Sullivan replied, "His name is clear. He is innocent of the charges, as if they've never been brought."

In the days that followed the Justice Department motion to dismiss, Alaska state Republican leaders, including Gov. Sarah Palin, have called on Begich to step down and allow a rematch without what has been called the "taint" of a criminal case against Stevens, 85.

Begich issued a statement that he intends to serve his six-year term.

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