Rep. Jefferson Indicted In Bribery Case

16 Counts Brought Against Louisiana Democrat; $90,000 In Cash Was Found In His Freezer

(CBS/AP)  Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., was indicted Monday on federal charges of racketeering, money-laundering and soliciting more than $400,000 in bribes in connection with years of trying to broker business deals in Africa.

The indictment in federal court in Alexandria, Va., lists 16 alleged violations of federal law with prison terms totaling as much as 235 years. Jefferson is charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money-laundering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

He is the first sitting congressman to face charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corporate bribery overseas.

The indictment claims Jefferson bribed Nigerian officials to pave the way for U.S. businesses — deals in telecommunications, oil fields, sugar, fertilizer and waste recycling plants, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. In return, he demanded monthly payments, profit shares and stock for his family-owned businesses.

The scheme was complicated, and Jefferson set up a front company to hide the money, prosecutors said.

"But the essence of the charges are really very simple: Mr. Jefferson corruptly traded on his good office and on the Congress," said Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. attorney for eastern Virginia.

In August 2005, investigators raided Jefferson's home in Washington and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in a box in his freezer.

The 63-year-old Jefferson, whose Louisiana district includes New Orleans, has said little about the case publicly but has maintained his innocence. He was re-elected last year despite the investigation.

Joseph Persichini, who leads FBI's Washington field office, called on the public to "take the time, read this charging document line by line, scheme by scheme, count by count. This case is about greed, power and arrogance."

---

Read The Grand Jury Indictment

---

Jefferson, in New Orleans on Monday, could not immediately be reached for comment. His lawyer was planning an afternoon news conference.

Two of Jefferson's associates have already struck plea bargains with prosecutors and have been sentenced.

Brett Pfeffer, a former congressional aide, admitted soliciting bribes on Jefferson's behalf and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Another Jefferson associate, Louisville, Ky., telecommunications executive Vernon Jackson, pleaded guilty to paying between $400,000 and $1 million in bribes to Jefferson in exchange for his assistance securing business deals in Nigeria and other African nations. Jackson has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Both Pfeffer and Jackson agreed to cooperate in the case against Jefferson.

The impact of the case has stretched across continents and even roiled presidential politics in Nigeria. According to court records, Jefferson told associates he needed cash to pay bribes to the country's vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

Abubakar denied the allegations, which figured prominently in that country's presidential elections in April: He ran for the presidency and finished third.

The indictment does not name Abubakar. But it describes Jefferson's dealings with an unnamed "Nigerian Official A" who was a high-ranking official in Nigeria's executive branch and had a spouse in Potomac, Md. One of Abubakar's wives lived in that Washington suburb.

Court records indicate Jefferson was videotaped taking a $100,000 cash bribe from an FBI informant. Most of that money later turned up in the freezer in Jefferson's home.

In May 2006, the FBI raided Jefferson's congressional office, the first such raid on a congressman's Capitol office. That move sparked a constitutional debate over whether the executive branch stepped over a boundary.

The raid's legality is still being argued on appeal. House leaders objected to the search, saying it was an unconstitutional intrusion on the lawmaking process. The FBI said the raid was necessary because Jefferson and his legal team had failed to respond to requests for documents.

Some but not all the documents seized in the raid have been turned over Justice Department prosecutors.

Among the specific charges listed in the indictment:

In 2001, after having assisted Jackson, Jefferson informed Jackson that he would no longer continue to use his official position as a congressman to promote iGate's business unless payments were made to a Jefferson family-controlled business, including a monthly payment of $7,500; 5 percent of iGate's gross sales plus certain capital raised; and options for up to one million shares of iGate stock. iGate agreed to the arrangement, and the following year Jefferson arranged a meeting between Jackson and a "prominent member" of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

In 2003 Jefferson promoted iGate's services to Nigerian businessmen and, without Jackson's knowledge, solicited fees estimated to be worth $1 million as well as a percentage of revenue and stock from the same company partners.

In 2004 Jefferson filed with the House Clerk a travel form in connection with a trip to Africa during which he promoted iGate and its business ventures to government officials in Nigeria and Cameroon, acknowledging that the travel was connected to his duties as a House member but failing to disclose his and his family's financial interests in the discussions.



© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by one_american June 4, 2007 1:12 PM PDT

It's about time the hammer fell on this member of the Democrat's "Culture of Corruption".

Reply to this comment

by jsmithcsa June 4, 2007 1:13 PM PDT

Lock him up!

Reply to this comment

by jsmithcsa June 4, 2007 1:13 PM PDT

Lock him up!

Reply to this comment

by jetranger7 June 4, 2007 1:14 PM PDT

AGAIN, I WONDER IF HE WENT TO HARVARD, OR YALE, OR STANFORD, OR NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, IT SEEMS ALL TO COMMON FOR THESE CORRUPT POLITICIANS TO BE DOING THIS, THERE GETTING THESE CORRUPT IDEAS FROM SOMEWHERE AND THEY THINK ITS ALRIGHT, INVESTIGATE HIS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ALONG WITH OTHER CURRENT AND FORMER CORRUPT POLITICIANS WHO'VE BEEN CAUGHT, PROBABLY FIND A PATTERN !!!

Reply to this comment

by mike71067 June 4, 2007 1:17 PM PDT

Didn't this idiot just win re-election in a landslide? I guess the Dumbocrats have a problem with a GOP "culture of corruption", but are perfectly ok with their own low-lifes.

On a different subject, the Dumbocrats are sure doing a great job at governing the country, aren't they?

Reply to this comment

by freckster June 4, 2007 1:21 PM PDT

Nearly all members of congress leave richer than when they arrived. Certainly, there is more abuse of power used for securing cash 'donations' than has been reported. Hang 'em high, Democrat, Republican or whatever.

Reply to this comment

by ursus4 June 4, 2007 1:24 PM PDT

I'm surprised the CBS would post an article that shows a democrat in an unfavorable light.

Reply to this comment

by ursus4 June 4, 2007 1:24 PM PDT

I'm surprised the CBS would post an article that shows a democrat in an unfavorable light.

Reply to this comment

by mpmarsiglia June 4, 2007 1:25 PM PDT

Yes, it is about time. But of course this will be Bush's fault won't it. It seems that everything wrong with New Orleans is Bush's fault.

By the way Katrina also destroyed the homes of others in New Orleans, not just those who look to Jessie Jackson for help. Has anyone heard about Lakeview? What about Rita. Hurricane Rita destroyed much of southwest LA but I hardly hear anything about it.

Reply to this comment

by cbsnewssuxas June 4, 2007 1:31 PM PDT

DRAIN THE SWAMP BABY!!!!

Reply to this comment

by gno1955 June 4, 2007 1:31 PM PDT

Jefferson is just the product of his enviorment. Louisiana breeds corrupt politicans,mostly Democratic ones. Besides even if he is convicted the voters will relect him until Edwin Edwards comes home. Maybe Nancy, Harry, and about 200 other Democrats need to be indicted and that will proubly end the culture of corruption.

Reply to this comment

by infidel_us June 4, 2007 1:31 PM PDT

Wonder how long it will be before we hear from Sharpton and Jackson? Obviously, this is a conspiracy, perpetrated by whitey against the black man!

Reply to this comment

by bobalu1000 June 4, 2007 1:34 PM PDT

D.C. Mayor Marion Berry was reelected too after being convicted and Black Congressman Alcie Hastings of Florida another. Blacks think they are sticking it to the man when it's actually themselves who are being stuck...

Reply to this comment

by one_american June 4, 2007 1:34 PM PDT

Watch as NAACP comes out with a whining, racist-baiting statement in 3...2...1...

Reply to this comment

by north32312 June 4, 2007 1:37 PM PDT

Not to worry, Hillary would undoubtedly pardon Jefferson because he is suffering from "Bush" stress.
The FBI continues to do a great job nailing these crooks.

Reply to this comment

by sentry88 June 4, 2007 1:39 PM PDT

The sad thing is he may be convicted and given a light sentence 2 to 5 years. But did ypu know that even while in prison and if he reaches the age for his pension from congress kicks in ......he can still drw the full amount even while locked up for the crime. I just dont understand that. A teacher is convicted of something or a policeman or hell a dairy worker. you can bet you sweet *** they cant drw a pension while in the slammer. If the congress realy wants to reform something ( BESIDES THE DAMM BORDER) DONOT LET THESE CONVICTED FELON CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS collect a cent from the government if they broke laws they swore to uphold. you know Thomas Jefferson was right A little REBELLION once in a while is a good thing .

Reply to this comment

by ljv3-2009 June 4, 2007 1:40 PM PDT

Yes Jefferson was re-elected, but not by New Orleanians. The majority of his support came from Jefferson Parish, a bastion of Republican voters. The political analyisis was that they hoped to place a subusrban person in Jefferson's spot were he to be indicted, but the political choice of jefferson parish came in third, so in the runoff they voted for him in the hope that he would remain in office a bit longer, notwithstanding the reek of corruption about him.
New Orleanians will be quite happy to have him out of office and let an honest person from the city, not the suburbs, take his place.
I do note that he was one of the very few Demos to have a corrupt image, unlike the rather long list of GOPers who can't seem to keep their hands out of the cookie jars.

Reply to this comment

by lpaulhoodjr June 4, 2007 1:42 PM PDT

Dollar Bill Jefferson has been a shady character for all of his political life. All his life, Bill has shirked his creditors, shaken down constituents and enriched himself at the public trough. He is a morally flawed man who belongs in jail. What a waste of talent-he is a bright man. Just too greedy.

Reply to this comment

by wirro-2009 June 4, 2007 1:42 PM PDT

Before the Republicans here start celebrating too much, please note that the Democratic Party supported his opponent in the last election:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101401267.html

And Pelosi stripped him of his Ways and Means seat: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/06/16/MNGREJFCS91.DTL

And these actions against him were before he was indicted.

Maybe they should just start a Pardon campaign after he's convicted, like those GOP heroes Abramoff, Nye and Libby.

Reply to this comment

by tunnelworm June 4, 2007 1:42 PM PDT

Here we go again. Whitey picking on the black man. Folks...... the reason why the money is in the freezer is becuase it is safer than locking it up in whities bank, plus it's easier to pay the crack dealer from the fridge than having to run out to the ATM everyday. Besides everyone knows president Bush put the money in there.

Reply to this comment

by mudrose-2009 June 4, 2007 1:44 PM PDT

It's about time the hammer fell on this member of the Democrat's "Culture of Corruption".
Posted by One_American

Now to get Feinstein, Pelosi and Reid. These people, like Billary Clintoid, espouse an ideology of shared wealth denying people the right to retain their prosperity, while the continually use their positions to enrich themselves. It's about time this s.o.b was singled out. Lord knows what else he has taken from the people of Louisiana like Nagin and that two-bit governor.

Reply to this comment

by newcogar June 4, 2007 1:46 PM PDT

Gee, I'm amazed, a democrat breaking the law. Say it ain't so !!

Reply to this comment

by perimogi June 4, 2007 1:51 PM PDT

Did someone say "give me cold, hard cash"?

Reply to this comment

by susanhelit June 4, 2007 1:51 PM PDT

Like all Democrats, I'm glad to hear this. As said below:

Before the Republicans here start celebrating too much, please note that the Democratic Party supported his opponent in the last election:
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR200
6101401267.html

And Pelosi stripped him of his Ways and Means seat: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg
i?file=/c/a/2006/06/16/MNGREJFCS91.DTL


And these actions against him were before he was indicted.


Wish the Republicans were anywhere near as open and responsive to their corrupt members, rather than supporting them and hiding them as long as possible.

Reply to this comment

by bennabee June 4, 2007 1:54 PM PDT

LOUISANA HAS NOTHING BUT SWARMY POLITICIANS.ANY PLACE CONTROLLED BY DEMACRATES IS A CORRUPT PLACE

Reply to this comment

by pecos8 June 4, 2007 1:57 PM PDT

Congrats to the Feds... and don't forget about Cleo.

Reply to this comment

by aegriffinnyc June 4, 2007 2:03 PM PDT

It's easy to mock the weakness and disgrace of a fellow human from the anonymity of a message board, however we should all search ourselves about our misdeeds and not gloat as justice has its eyes on all of us.

This man is ruined (he'll be lucky if legal fees don't eat up his legitimate assets), and I can take no joy in his misery. He deserves what's coming to him, but as karma visits us all, don't tempt it through schadenfreude.

Reply to this comment

by coronahunter June 4, 2007 2:05 PM PDT

Just wait for his appology and all will be forgiven. Thats how it works with Democrats.

Reply to this comment

by infidel_us June 4, 2007 2:06 PM PDT

It's easy to mock the weakness and disgrace of a fellow human from the anonymity of a message board, however we should all search ourselves about our misdeeds and not gloat as justice has its eyes on all of us.
Posted by aegriffinnyc at 02:03 PM : Jun 04, 2007

Believe me, it would be just as easy for me to do it to his face. These days, with our convoluted system of justice, I'd be the one to go to jail before him - hate speech or some other such PC nonsense.

Reply to this comment

by terrapin78 June 4, 2007 2:11 PM PDT

His LA constituents voted him in EVEN after the allegations were made.

Reply to this comment

by aa36042 June 4, 2007 2:11 PM PDT

we wont hear much about this because he is black.You can try and say what you will, but the reality of the situation will prove im right. This case hasnt gotten any attention, and I dont suspect it will get the kind of attention a white texan might get in the same situation. oh well..thats the way things are now I guess.

Reply to this comment

by dcrum35 June 4, 2007 2:14 PM PDT

I love you people saying how the Republicans "support" the people in their party who are corrupt and the Democrats don't. That is absolutely the wool being pulled over your main stream media eyes. Tell me what exactly DeLay did? Where is he right now? Did the party really support him? NO, they hung him out to avoid the press. Same with every other Republican who has come under attack the past 7 years. Only one was RIGHTFULLY prosecuted and SHOULD be thrown in jail: that is the rep. from California who sold defense contracts.
For the record: The Libby case was a joke. The guy was charged for basically not remembering his exact wording in a sentence he used a few years ago. Pathetic.
Also for the record: The Democrats backed Jefferson 100% for the past year. Only now are they backing off. They are pathetic and corrupt.
Yes, some Republicans are as well, but the republicans don't rally around them when the should be in jail.

Reply to this comment

by canyoutellme-2009 June 4, 2007 2:17 PM PDT

Wow, you republican posters sure are presumtuous.

Difference between the radical right vs the "crazy liberal left" is that when someone is found of wrongdoing on OUR side, we actually say they were WRONG! You don't hear about it much because there are so very FEW democrats who get indicted.

In any event, i want this guy EJECTED from his seat in government ASAP if the allegations are indeed true (and they all appear to be true).

BTW, i'm one of those "loony left wing liberals"

There are bad apples in ALL walks of life. There are MORE bad apples in some walks of life versus others, but EVERY group has its share.

But i do find it hilarious that the republiCONs here all keep stating all their fears on what WILL happen when it hasn't even happened yet and there's no basis for their fears to come true. Everything about the CONs is FEAR FEAR FEAR

Reply to this comment

by susanhelit June 4, 2007 2:18 PM PDT

DeLay was supported, not asked to resign from any of his committees, for the longest time. Only when charges were formally filed, was there any motion. That's a good example of the difference between how Democrats handled this (Jefferson was off his committees very quickly, years before these charges are now being finally filed), and how Republicans have handled DeLay. Or, Duke Cunningham. Or that pervert they ignored and hid and protected to try to keep power.

Reply to this comment

by luigi999-2009 June 4, 2007 2:18 PM PDT

And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?

Reply to this comment

by partofthe61 June 4, 2007 2:20 PM PDT

I don't know how any Republican has room to talk about corruption after the last 6 years with that evil crew in the Whitehouse

Reply to this comment

by marcodele June 4, 2007 2:21 PM PDT

That's what he gets for acting like a white republican.

Reply to this comment

by canyoutellme-2009 June 4, 2007 2:21 PM PDT

And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?
Posted by Luigi999 at 02:18 PM : Jun 04, 2007

says nothing about democrats.. says something about those in his district tho'.

Amazing..everyone making this a democrat vs republican issue.. it isn't... someone did something bad and got caught and you don't see democrats from other regions all around him supporting him. You republiCONs are amazing.

Reply to this comment

by canyoutellme-2009 June 4, 2007 2:27 PM PDT

Hey Jefferson, was it worth it?? the 100 grand? I bet there was more $$ than just this 100 grand involved... they need to go into your finances for the past 20 years to see how much extra $$ you got vs the income you got from your "legitimate" job and then investigate where all that $$ came from too.

200+ years in prison. Hope you have an endless supply of soap-on-a-rope.

The democratic party is now cleaner for having him ejected (soon i hope).

Reply to this comment

by briannorwood June 4, 2007 2:28 PM PDT

Democrat or Republican. Guys like this need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Shame on you Jefferson!

Reply to this comment

by gunnerv1 June 4, 2007 2:31 PM PDT

If he's a politican, sooner or later, they will go crooked, I don't care what party they belong to. When you are surrounded by that much money and power, well S*H*I*T happens!

Reply to this comment

by huskerarmy June 4, 2007 2:32 PM PDT

"And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?"
Posted by Luigi999
It says about the same thing as when Tom Delay was reelected under pending indictment. In general, the people in the district is desperate to make a homogenious point. The honest truth though is that GOPers have been indicted much more often and at an alarming rate in recent years. I say goodbye and good riddance Mr. Jefferson. If America wanted criminals in office, we would still be voting Republican.

Reply to this comment

by ratdog86 June 4, 2007 2:34 PM PDT

A poster indicated voters of Jefferson Parish which is a majority Republican elected him for the last term. This is half correct. Jefferson Parish is split between 2 congressional seats. The West Bank fall under the 2nd district and the East Bank falls under a separate district. The west bank is heavily Democratic, mostly refugees from New Orleans, after Katrina. The East Bank is Republican and currently has a republican, Bobby Jindal in congress. Got to love liberals who blame Republicans for electing corrupt Democrats. It%u2019s always someone else%u2019s fault.

Reply to this comment

by shanev137 June 4, 2007 2:36 PM PDT

You gotta love it when any dirty politician goes down like this. I hope he rots in hell.

Reply to this comment

by mbcsmith June 4, 2007 2:39 PM PDT

About time this LIB CROOK was indicted. Maybe the U.S. Attorney firings finally got things going.

Reply to this comment

by perception5 June 4, 2007 2:39 PM PDT

You gotta love it when any dirty politician goes down like this. I hope he rots in hell.
Posted by shanev137 at 02:36 PM : Jun 04, 2007

....Actually Nancy is going to promote him to the Homeland Secuirty Committee.........

How's that sound?

Reply to this comment

by l8c6 June 4, 2007 2:41 PM PDT

ratdog86, yes but history will show that no one did a better job selling this country off, destroying its posterity for the benefit of private multi-national wealthy special interests than the Republican party.

Reply to this comment

by huskerarmy June 4, 2007 2:43 PM PDT

"....Actually Nancy is going to promote him to the Homeland Secuirty Committee.........
How's that sound?"
Posted by perception5
Why that sounds mighty neo-con of you.

Reply to this comment

by rushlimpdrug June 4, 2007 2:46 PM PDT

"FBI officials said they videotaped the congressman taking the cash and later found the $90,000 in a box in the freezer of his Louisiana home"

Sounds like hell has frozen over. Gives a new meaning to "cold hard cash"

Reply to this comment

by one_american June 4, 2007 2:47 PM PDT

...and what about Jefferson's ties to Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame?

This trial should be pretty interesting.

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[one_american]

It's about time the hammer fell on this member of the Democrat's "Culture of Corruption".

[jsmithcsa]

Lock him up!

[jsmithcsa]

Lock him up!

[jetranger7]

AGAIN, I WONDER IF HE WENT TO HARVARD, OR YALE, OR STANFORD, OR NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, IT SEEMS ALL TO COMMON FOR THESE CORRUPT POLITICIANS TO BE DOING THIS, THERE GETTING THESE CORRUPT IDEAS FROM SOMEWHERE AND THEY THINK ITS ALRIGHT, INVESTIGATE HIS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ALONG WITH OTHER CURRENT AND FORMER CORRUPT POLITICIANS WHO'VE BEEN CAUGHT, PROBABLY FIND A PATTERN !!!

[mike71067]

Didn't this idiot just win re-election in a landslide? I guess the Dumbocrats have a problem with a GOP "culture of corruption", but are perfectly ok with their own low-lifes.

On a different subject, the Dumbocrats are sure doing a great job at governing the country, aren't they?

[freckster]

Nearly all members of congress leave richer than when they arrived. Certainly, there is more abuse of power used for securing cash 'donations' than has been reported. Hang 'em high, Democrat, Republican or whatever.

[ursus4]

I'm surprised the CBS would post an article that shows a democrat in an unfavorable light.

[ursus4]

I'm surprised the CBS would post an article that shows a democrat in an unfavorable light.

[mpmarsiglia]

Yes, it is about time. But of course this will be Bush's fault won't it. It seems that everything wrong with New Orleans is Bush's fault.

By the way Katrina also destroyed the homes of others in New Orleans, not just those who look to Jessie Jackson for help. Has anyone heard about Lakeview? What about Rita. Hurricane Rita destroyed much of southwest LA but I hardly hear anything about it.

[cbsnewssuxas]

DRAIN THE SWAMP BABY!!!!

[gno1955]

Jefferson is just the product of his enviorment. Louisiana breeds corrupt politicans,mostly Democratic ones. Besides even if he is convicted the voters will relect him until Edwin Edwards comes home. Maybe Nancy, Harry, and about 200 other Democrats need to be indicted and that will proubly end the culture of corruption.

[infidel_us]

Wonder how long it will be before we hear from Sharpton and Jackson? Obviously, this is a conspiracy, perpetrated by whitey against the black man!

[bobalu1000]

D.C. Mayor Marion Berry was reelected too after being convicted and Black Congressman Alcie Hastings of Florida another. Blacks think they are sticking it to the man when it's actually themselves who are being stuck...

[one_american]

Watch as NAACP comes out with a whining, racist-baiting statement in 3...2...1...

[north32312]

Not to worry, Hillary would undoubtedly pardon Jefferson because he is suffering from "Bush" stress.
The FBI continues to do a great job nailing these crooks.

[sentry88]

The sad thing is he may be convicted and given a light sentence 2 to 5 years. But did ypu know that even while in prison and if he reaches the age for his pension from congress kicks in ......he can still drw the full amount even while locked up for the crime. I just dont understand that. A teacher is convicted of something or a policeman or hell a dairy worker. you can bet you sweet *** they cant drw a pension while in the slammer. If the congress realy wants to reform something ( BESIDES THE DAMM BORDER) DONOT LET THESE CONVICTED FELON CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS collect a cent from the government if they broke laws they swore to uphold. you know Thomas Jefferson was right A little REBELLION once in a while is a good thing .

[ljv3-2009]

Yes Jefferson was re-elected, but not by New Orleanians. The majority of his support came from Jefferson Parish, a bastion of Republican voters. The political analyisis was that they hoped to place a subusrban person in Jefferson's spot were he to be indicted, but the political choice of jefferson parish came in third, so in the runoff they voted for him in the hope that he would remain in office a bit longer, notwithstanding the reek of corruption about him.
New Orleanians will be quite happy to have him out of office and let an honest person from the city, not the suburbs, take his place.
I do note that he was one of the very few Demos to have a corrupt image, unlike the rather long list of GOPers who can't seem to keep their hands out of the cookie jars.

[lpaulhoodjr]

Dollar Bill Jefferson has been a shady character for all of his political life. All his life, Bill has shirked his creditors, shaken down constituents and enriched himself at the public trough. He is a morally flawed man who belongs in jail. What a waste of talent-he is a bright man. Just too greedy.

[wirro-2009]

Before the Republicans here start celebrating too much, please note that the Democratic Party supported his opponent in the last election:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101401267.html

And Pelosi stripped him of his Ways and Means seat: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/06/16/MNGREJFCS91.DTL

And these actions against him were before he was indicted.

Maybe they should just start a Pardon campaign after he's convicted, like those GOP heroes Abramoff, Nye and Libby.

[tunnelworm]

Here we go again. Whitey picking on the black man. Folks...... the reason why the money is in the freezer is becuase it is safer than locking it up in whities bank, plus it's easier to pay the crack dealer from the fridge than having to run out to the ATM everyday. Besides everyone knows president Bush put the money in there.

[mudrose-2009]

It's about time the hammer fell on this member of the Democrat's "Culture of Corruption".
Posted by One_American

Now to get Feinstein, Pelosi and Reid. These people, like Billary Clintoid, espouse an ideology of shared wealth denying people the right to retain their prosperity, while the continually use their positions to enrich themselves. It's about time this s.o.b was singled out. Lord knows what else he has taken from the people of Louisiana like Nagin and that two-bit governor.

[newcogar]

Gee, I'm amazed, a democrat breaking the law. Say it ain't so !!

[perimogi]

Did someone say "give me cold, hard cash"?

[susanhelit]

Like all Democrats, I'm glad to hear this. As said below:

Before the Republicans here start celebrating too much, please note that the Democratic Party supported his opponent in the last election:
http://www.washingtonpost.com
/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR200
6101401267.html

And Pelosi stripped him of his Ways and Means seat: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg
i?file=/c/a/2006/06/16/MNGREJFCS91.DTL


And these actions against him were before he was indicted.


Wish the Republicans were anywhere near as open and responsive to their corrupt members, rather than supporting them and hiding them as long as possible.

[bennabee]

LOUISANA HAS NOTHING BUT SWARMY POLITICIANS.ANY PLACE CONTROLLED BY DEMACRATES IS A CORRUPT PLACE

[pecos8]

Congrats to the Feds... and don't forget about Cleo.

[aegriffinnyc]

It's easy to mock the weakness and disgrace of a fellow human from the anonymity of a message board, however we should all search ourselves about our misdeeds and not gloat as justice has its eyes on all of us.

This man is ruined (he'll be lucky if legal fees don't eat up his legitimate assets), and I can take no joy in his misery. He deserves what's coming to him, but as karma visits us all, don't tempt it through schadenfreude.

[coronahunter]

Just wait for his appology and all will be forgiven. Thats how it works with Democrats.

[infidel_us]

It's easy to mock the weakness and disgrace of a fellow human from the anonymity of a message board, however we should all search ourselves about our misdeeds and not gloat as justice has its eyes on all of us.
Posted by aegriffinnyc at 02:03 PM : Jun 04, 2007

Believe me, it would be just as easy for me to do it to his face. These days, with our convoluted system of justice, I'd be the one to go to jail before him - hate speech or some other such PC nonsense.

[terrapin78]

His LA constituents voted him in EVEN after the allegations were made.

[aa36042]

we wont hear much about this because he is black.You can try and say what you will, but the reality of the situation will prove im right. This case hasnt gotten any attention, and I dont suspect it will get the kind of attention a white texan might get in the same situation. oh well..thats the way things are now I guess.

[dcrum35]

I love you people saying how the Republicans "support" the people in their party who are corrupt and the Democrats don't. That is absolutely the wool being pulled over your main stream media eyes. Tell me what exactly DeLay did? Where is he right now? Did the party really support him? NO, they hung him out to avoid the press. Same with every other Republican who has come under attack the past 7 years. Only one was RIGHTFULLY prosecuted and SHOULD be thrown in jail: that is the rep. from California who sold defense contracts.
For the record: The Libby case was a joke. The guy was charged for basically not remembering his exact wording in a sentence he used a few years ago. Pathetic.
Also for the record: The Democrats backed Jefferson 100% for the past year. Only now are they backing off. They are pathetic and corrupt.
Yes, some Republicans are as well, but the republicans don't rally around them when the should be in jail.

[canyoutellme-2009]

Wow, you republican posters sure are presumtuous.

Difference between the radical right vs the "crazy liberal left" is that when someone is found of wrongdoing on OUR side, we actually say they were WRONG! You don't hear about it much because there are so very FEW democrats who get indicted.

In any event, i want this guy EJECTED from his seat in government ASAP if the allegations are indeed true (and they all appear to be true).

BTW, i'm one of those "loony left wing liberals"

There are bad apples in ALL walks of life. There are MORE bad apples in some walks of life versus others, but EVERY group has its share.

But i do find it hilarious that the republiCONs here all keep stating all their fears on what WILL happen when it hasn't even happened yet and there's no basis for their fears to come true. Everything about the CONs is FEAR FEAR FEAR

[susanhelit]

DeLay was supported, not asked to resign from any of his committees, for the longest time. Only when charges were formally filed, was there any motion. That's a good example of the difference between how Democrats handled this (Jefferson was off his committees very quickly, years before these charges are now being finally filed), and how Republicans have handled DeLay. Or, Duke Cunningham. Or that pervert they ignored and hid and protected to try to keep power.

[luigi999-2009]

And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?

[partofthe61]

I don't know how any Republican has room to talk about corruption after the last 6 years with that evil crew in the Whitehouse

[marcodele]

That's what he gets for acting like a white republican.

[canyoutellme-2009]

And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?
Posted by Luigi999 at 02:18 PM : Jun 04, 2007

says nothing about democrats.. says something about those in his district tho'.

Amazing..everyone making this a democrat vs republican issue.. it isn't... someone did something bad and got caught and you don't see democrats from other regions all around him supporting him. You republiCONs are amazing.

[canyoutellme-2009]

Hey Jefferson, was it worth it?? the 100 grand? I bet there was more $$ than just this 100 grand involved... they need to go into your finances for the past 20 years to see how much extra $$ you got vs the income you got from your "legitimate" job and then investigate where all that $$ came from too.

200+ years in prison. Hope you have an endless supply of soap-on-a-rope.

The democratic party is now cleaner for having him ejected (soon i hope).

[briannorwood]

Democrat or Republican. Guys like this need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Shame on you Jefferson!

[gunnerv1]

If he's a politican, sooner or later, they will go crooked, I don't care what party they belong to. When you are surrounded by that much money and power, well S*H*I*T happens!

[huskerarmy]

"And this criminal won re-election? What does that say about Democrats?"
Posted by Luigi999
It says about the same thing as when Tom Delay was reelected under pending indictment. In general, the people in the district is desperate to make a homogenious point. The honest truth though is that GOPers have been indicted much more often and at an alarming rate in recent years. I say goodbye and good riddance Mr. Jefferson. If America wanted criminals in office, we would still be voting Republican.

[ratdog86]

A poster indicated voters of Jefferson Parish which is a majority Republican elected him for the last term. This is half correct. Jefferson Parish is split between 2 congressional seats. The West Bank fall under the 2nd district and the East Bank falls under a separate district. The west bank is heavily Democratic, mostly refugees from New Orleans, after Katrina. The East Bank is Republican and currently has a republican, Bobby Jindal in congress. Got to love liberals who blame Republicans for electing corrupt Democrats. It%u2019s always someone else%u2019s fault.

[shanev137]

You gotta love it when any dirty politician goes down like this. I hope he rots in hell.

[mbcsmith]

About time this LIB CROOK was indicted. Maybe the U.S. Attorney firings finally got things going.

[perception5]

You gotta love it when any dirty politician goes down like this. I hope he rots in hell.
Posted by shanev137 at 02:36 PM : Jun 04, 2007

....Actually Nancy is going to promote him to the Homeland Secuirty Committee.........

How's that sound?

[l8c6]

ratdog86, yes but history will show that no one did a better job selling this country off, destroying its posterity for the benefit of private multi-national wealthy special interests than the Republican party.

[huskerarmy]

"....Actually Nancy is going to promote him to the Homeland Secuirty Committee.........
How's that sound?"
Posted by perception5
Why that sounds mighty neo-con of you.

[rushlimpdrug]

"FBI officials said they videotaped the congressman taking the cash and later found the $90,000 in a box in the freezer of his Louisiana home"

Sounds like hell has frozen over. Gives a new meaning to "cold hard cash"

[one_american]

...and what about Jefferson's ties to Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame?

This trial should be pretty interesting.