A behind-the-scenes move by prosecutors has angered a federal judge in the trial of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected the defense's bid today for a mistrial and throw out charges accusing the Alaska lawmaker of accepting more than $250,000 in unreported home renovations. But the judge scolded prosecutors for "unilaterally" deciding to put the project's manager, Robert Williams, on a return flight home to Alaska instead of putting him on the witness stand.

The judge ordered prosecutors to provide a fuller explanation for why they didn't tell anyone that Williams, who was subpoenaed by both sides, went home last week on the day the trial opened. He also warned that sanctions were possible, but didn't say what kind.

Stevens is charged with lying on Senate financial disclosure forms about work done on Girdwood home and other gifts he received from VECO Corporation. He says he paid all bills presented to him. And if anything was tacked onto the job, VECO founder Bill Allen did so without telling him. Prosecutors had planned to put Allen, their star witness, on the stand today. Instead, they resumed calling a parade of VECO employees who did work on the cabin. Prosecutors said Allen could begin testifying late Tuesday.