A bombshell from NPR's Nina Totenberg:

Attorney General Eric Holder -- "horrified" by allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in the corruption conviction of former Sen. Ted Stevens -- will instruct deputies to withdraw the indictment against the Alaska Republican today, effectively voiding the conviction that cost Stevens his job.

Holder is said to have decided late Tuesday to pull the plug. Stevens lawyers are expected to be informed Wednesday morning that the department will dismiss the indictment against the former senator.

Holder's decision is said to be based on Stevens age, he's 84; and because Stevens is no longer in the Senate. Perhaps most importantly, Justice Department officials say Holder wants to send a message to prosecutors throughout the department that actions he regards as misconduct will not be tolerated.

Holder began his career in the office of public integrity; and according to sources, he was horrified by the failure of prosecutors to turnover all relevant materials to the defense.

The attorney general also knows the trial judge, Emmett Sullivan, well. The two men served together as Superior Court judges before each was promoted to higher office. Holder respects Sullivan and reportedly has watched with growing alarm as Sullivan repeatedly has scolded prosecutors for failing to follow his judicial orders to fully inform defense lawyers...

Justice Department officials say they will withdraw their opposition to the defense motion for a new trial and will dismiss the indictment — in effect ,voiding the Stevens conviction.