The real world implications of the court decision of the Jefferson case are beginning to be understood by prosecutors. For example, CREW said could decision have a  "devastating impact" on future cases like the one involving Ted Stevens.  In fact, as The Associated Press reveals, prosecutors are worried that the ruling could prevent wiretapping federal elected officials suspected of corruption.   And, not coincidentally, Ted Stevens being Exhibit A:

The Justice Department is worried that a recent appeals court ruling could make it impossible to use wiretaps to investigate members of Congress in corruption cases.

If so, that could extend to the ongoing investigation of Sen. Ted Steven, R-Alaska. The Associated Press recently reported that the FBI used an Alaskan oil contractor to tape phone conversations with the powerful senator as part of a corruption sting.

In court documents filed last week, government attorneys asked the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reconsider last month's decision regarding the FBI raid on the office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La.