Rep. William Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty

Louisiana Democrat, Indicted On 16 Counts In Bribery Case, Faces Investigation In Congress

(CBS/AP)  Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of racketeering, money-laundering and soliciting more than $500,000 in bribes in connection with years of trying to broker business deals in Africa.

Jefferson said little during the hearing in federal court in Alexandria, but acknowledged that he understood the charges and waived his right to a speedy trial. He was released on $100,000 bond, and a trial date was set for January 16.

A 94-page indictment, handed up Monday, details 11 separate bribery schemes and 16 criminal counts, including racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice. Jefferson faces a possible maximum sentence of 235 years.

The charges came almost two years after investigators raided Jefferson's home in Washington and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in a box in his freezer.

During Friday's hearing, prosecutor Mark Lytle said the government had eight file cabinets of evidence in the case and extensive tape recordings. He said the government could spend up to a month presenting its case.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III has prohibited Jefferson's access to guns kept in his Louisiana home. He has also frozen his bank accounts and other assets.

"I am innocent of these charges and I plan to clear my name," Jefferson said following the hearing.

Standing next to his wife, Andrea, Jefferson spoke of his wife and five daughters, claiming "They are not who the government describes them to be ... bribers, racketeers and conspirators."

"This is not who we are. This is not who I am. This is not what I have done. I am innocent of all the charges and allegations that have been leveled against me. And I and my family with our friends and allies pledge to fight to clear our name and see justice done," he said.

Jefferson said he and his family are at a disadvantage against the Justice Department, which he characterized as not only possessing of unlimited resources but also able to "engineer circumstances, leak information, and even violate the constitution in pursuit of its goals."

He also suggested that the $90,000 cash which was found in the freezer of his Louisiana home belonged to the FBI, as part of their plan to bribe the president of Nigeria.

Earlier this week, the House ordered a quick internal investigation that could oust Jefferson from Congress before his bribery trial.

Jefferson resigned his seat on the Small Business Committee. Democrats already had moved to take that seat from him.

Jefferson admitted no wrongdoing.

Jefferson, who has been under investigation for more than two years, was re-elected last year despite the looming investigation, But the nine-term congressman had few allies among leaders of his own party.

The charges against Jefferson, "if proven true, should lead to the expulsion of the member in question," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who earlier ousted Jefferson from the Ways and Means Committee, issued a similar statement Monday.

That wasn't enough for Republicans, still smarting from losing control of Congress in the November elections partly over ethics breaches of their own members.

Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio offered a resolution directing the Ethics Committee to report on whether the charges in the indictment merit Jefferson's expulsion. The House passed it, 373-26. Thirteen members voted present.

Expelling a House member before a conviction would be unprecedented, according to the Congressional Research Service. But it was not clear that would happen in Jefferson's case, because the Ethics Committee could refuse to rule on whether the nine-term congressman should be thrown out of the House, according to a Democratic leadership aide.

[drivelphobe]

Where's Big Al and Jesse? This has got to be a racist issue. The cash in the freezer must have been planted. No self-respecting negro would keep $90,000 in his ice box. He's just getting picked on because of his skin color.

[mikealford3]

Perhaps by waiving his right to a speedy trial, he is hoping people will forget about over the next few months.

[starleo146]

trying to make up for all the republican jailbirds

[infidel_us]

This reminds me of the old Amos & Andy TV show. THey were alwasy getting into some "innocent by today's standards" trouble, and Kingfish, the lawyer, was always coming up with some utterly rediculous argument for pleading not guilty.

It never worked then, and it won't work now. I guess in this case, Mr. Jefferson will be "movin on DOWN!"

[nolalou]

I had to laugh when I read the judge had 'frozen his assets'. Apprently Congressman Jefferson has already taken care of that himself, since they found $90,000 dollars in his freezer!!

The fact that the trial isn't until next January is upseting. I would like to see him forced to give up his congressional seat, so a new election could be held to fill the vacency as soon as possible.

[rushlimpdrug]

Judge: Bond set at $100,000
Jefferson: $100,000, but judge who keeps that
kinda' money in da freeza'
Judge: Put up 10% of the $100,000 stupid.
Jefferson: Oh, well that's difrunt I got dat
behind da' ice creem

[mike71067]

He won't be the first Democrat "William Jefferson" to break the law. The last one was let off the hook, and this one will probably be also.

Notice how the moment that Tom DeLay was indicted, the Republicans kicked him out of his position, even though the case never went to trial and probably won't (the prosecutor doesn't even have a case). But when William Jefferson is caught red-handed demanding a bribe, taking a bribe, and storing his loot in the freezer, the Dumbocrats are still debating whether or not to oust him.

I guess the (D) after his name makes all the difference in the world.

[mike71067]

"I don't know nuthin' 'bout no frozen monies."

[infidel_us]

I guess the (D) after his name makes all the difference in the world.
Posted by mike71067 at 11:18 AM : Jun 08, 2007

Worse than that.....Air Pelosi gave him a cushy chairman job even after learning he was under investigation.

Good luck with getting him to give up his seat, willingly. What do you think he is, a republican?

[bogusbones]

Who cares if he's a Dem or Repub? Who cares if he's black or white? As a politician, he's just another in a long line of mis-guided people that think public service means special privileges and a chance to get rich at the taxpayer's expense.

DeLay was just as devious a person except that he was so heavy handed that to call him a politician is a misnomer.

My suggestion that any politician found guilty of putting their hands into the cookie jar get a minimum of five years and an fine of two times what they were found to have stolen from the coffers.

[infidel_us]

I got dat behind da' ice creem
Posted by rushlimpdrug at 11:17 AM : Jun 08, 2007

Chocolate, no doubt - like the city! :)

[infidel_us]

Who cares if he's a Dem or Repub? Who cares if he's black or white?
Posted by bogusbones at 11:37 AM : Jun 08, 2007

These issues don't matter. The REAL issue is the disparity of how the different party's suspects are treated in the MSM. So what you see when a democrat is involved is a sort of "knee jerk" reaction by conservatives.....sort of like, "YEAH, it's about time!" If the MSM were fair, I think you'd see a lot more civility by conservative citizens.

[nolalou]

I belive he should be ousted from congress, but to be fair to Pelosi, she did remove him from his leadership post on the powerful 'ways & means' committiee months before he was indited. He was put on a much less prestegious 'small buisness commitee', and not as chairman, as infidel_us incorrectly states. He is now off that committee as well.

I hope congress does vote to oust him, which I belive requires a two thirds vote to take effect.

[mike71067]

"These issues don't matter. The REAL issue is the disparity of how the different party's suspects are treated in the MSM."
-Posted by infidel_us at 11:42 AM : Jun 08, 2007

So true. This story will be off the front pages by the middle of next week, if not sooner. If William Jefferson had an (R) after his name instead of a (D), it would be in the front pages until the 2008 elections.

[rushlimpdrug]

Was dat an upright freeza'?
You know that would be a crime.
They are so energy inefficient.

[vinepetal904]

' ... so why are naked people made to exit the trail because of what people will say (when most people can't name the vice president), while terrorists are not allowed to exit the trail because of what people will say (when most people can't even name a terrorist)? ... '

[bigsk8fan]

"These issues don't matter. The REAL issue is the disparity of how the different party's suspects are treated in the MSM. So what you see when a democrat is involved is a sort of "knee jerk" reaction by conservatives.....sort of like, "YEAH, it's about time!" If the MSM were fair, I think you'd see a lot more civility by conservative citizens." Posted by infidel_us

What a load of fertilizer! You guys kept Clinton on the front pages for his 8 years, and every problem Bush creates for himself you continue to blame on Clinton. What whiners neocons are! This guy is on the front pages. Yet with your spin, you are complaining about next week. This guy has been front page news for a few weeks. It is in a neocons nature to act repugnantly. Civility would work. But no, you guys continue childish and boorish behavior up every day.

You aren't even getting "liberal" complaints about this guy being charged. Yet charge Scooter Libby, file war crimes charges against Rumsfeld, indict Wolfowicz, and you neocons think you are being persecuted. Please.

[tbweb]

Naked greed, exposed and caught red handed! What happened to Off Shore Accounts? Arrogance in thinking he wouldn't be found out and caught too! Relying on the protection of his Congressional status to hide and steal! You can't spin this, even if the system caught you illegally it doesn't matter, the system should have failed in its efforts to catch you but it didn't! You have offended your culture, your Congressional office, yourself and the American people and have only yourself yourself and your stupidity to blame. Even if you get away with this act, you will always be guilty in the U.S. Court of public opinion which is the real court anyway, the court of the American mindset!

[infidel_us]

I hope congress does vote to oust him, which I belive requires a two thirds vote to take effect.
Posted by nolalou at 11:48 AM : Jun 08, 2007

Thanks foe the update. I was not aware of this info.

[infidel_us]

nolalou,

I meant, thanks for the updates on his committee musical chairs. I was not aware that he was off the 2nd committee. Thanks!

[mudrose-2009]

Last I heard he has a 16 count indictment. Sentencing should be around 235 years. He's good to go. Throw the bum out. Bye, bye.

[vinepetal904]

' ... so a bunch of kids went missing or dead today because the trillion dollar get sick soon tax the world first strike on the trail crowd could not afford to canvas a postage stamp, though they could have invested less than one percent of their budget into minimum wage get well soon' ... she built a weather satelite to locate folks' missing trinkets and found that those most likely to find the trinkets are those most likely to rape and kill those that lost the trinkets, as are parents those most likely to rape and kill their own kids ... ' feed the world first aid on the trail folk to canvas everything all the time ... now pearl harbor has gone missing, maybe they'll be looking to canvas everything ... '

[infidel_us]

If $90K is 230 years, the GW, Cheney, and Rove should get well over a few thousand years with good behavior.
Posted by billysmith6 at 12:57 PM : Jun 08, 2007

Wishful thinking....better get a conviction, first. Actually, you better have charges first. Actually, you need to have an investigation, first.

[vinepetal904]

' ... there's nothing wrong with telling everybody that mugging and raping and killing is acceptable, just as long as you remind them once in a while that 99 plus percent of folk 99 plus percent of the time do not mug and rape and kill ... and 99 plus percent of those who do 99 plus percent of the time do not do so against anyone's wishes ... '

[antoniof123]

The sharks are circling and he has not even been tried yet. Okay so what like he is a politician and from what I have seen in my life it is just another worthless scum out of a job.

[mudrose-2009]

Wishful thinking....better get a conviction, first. Actually, you better have charges first. Actually, you need to have an investigation, first.
Posted by infidel_us

Actually they need to have probable cause. But they can always invent that.

[bigsk8fan]

Hey neocons, I don't see too many Dems offering premature support for this guy. Yet you neocon Republicans keep defending the Alabama State Senator who is a Republican for punching a Democrat Senator. What's up with that? I think the Dems hold the higher moral ground here!

[infidel_us]

Its hard fighting an invisible moving target.
Posted by billysmith6 at 01:24 PM : Jun 08, 2007

You mean a "Rove-ing" target! LOL

[russ1985]

What more probably cause do you need than $90000 in a freezer. The dude is dirty and just like Randy Duke Cunningham out of California, we're probably just hearing the beginning. He needs to quit acting larger than life and step down before he brings the democrats down into the same dirty pit the republicans have been sitting in.

[mikealford3]

What's $90,000 between friends, come on, Jefferson was just working on a sting to see if the FBI was really doing their jobs. I guess he is happy now that he finally convinced the FBI to bribe him. Now he has the evidence that those agents were trying to buy political favors.

Perhaps it's "entrapment"??

Yeah I know that's all foolish.

[infidel_us]

bigsk8fan,

Sorry....Delay (even Foley) not only withdraw but RESIGN. What does "cold cash" do? Stays in, pleads not guilty. Please. This is like trying to plead not guilty to having an expired license.

Ain't gonna happen. The last time Dems had the moral high ground was during Roosevelt's administration.

[infidel_us]

Boy, I totally botched that. Withdrew and resigned!!!! The Times regrets the error. :)

[mbcsmith]

Two of his aides have already plead guilty to felony charges and are set for 8 year prison terms. No doubt that they will, rightfully, nail his hide to the wall.

[bigsk8fan]

"The last time Dems had the moral high ground was during Roosevelt's administration." Posted by infidel_us

Apparently not today. Lots of Neocons publishing support for the Alabama Republican State Senator. Try again neocon. Clinton beats Bush (either one). Hillary and Obama beat Giuliani and McCain.

[pringle2011]

He wanted to Keep his hidden Money on Ice till the NASDAQ straighten out or until the ice cream melted................Look what i found in my old freza!!!!!

[mudrose-2009]

Apparently not today. Lots of Neocons publishing support for the Alabama Republican State Senator. Try again neocon. Clinton beats Bush (either one). Hillary and Obama beat Giuliani and McCain.
Posted by bigsk8fan

And this is your interpretation of the moral high ground?

[drummer94]

William Jefferson? Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Hmmm.

[notblue]

All this corruption coming out of louisiana is really suprising! NOT!!! Well at least they can't blame Bush for this one. Sandy Burger lost his liscense to practice law today for his role in the cover up and stealing of documents related to pre 911 intelligence while Clinton was in office. The hidden documents were supposed to be handed over to the 911 commission. Why hasn't CBS reported this story??? What a joke!

[casper10x]

Corruption : Sen Feinstein CAl Head of a committee( Military Construction) that sent billions of dollars to her HUSBAND's COMPANY. Her Committee is also responsible for Vet's affairs - being taken care of after injury etc. Great job ?

How about Dem. Berger who openly stole documents that made the Clintons at fault for 9 -11 ? No jail time. Nothing. Story buried. Another Democrat.

And so on, and so on.
The Democrats are not for the working people of America, if they were , why are they backing the taking of jobs by illegals ?

[infidel_us]

Try again neocon.
Posted by bigsk8fan at 01:48 PM : Jun 08, 2007

I'm not a neocon. I'm a Reagan-o-con! :)

[lars008-2009]

demonic-rats famous last words%u2026

Democrats will not disappoint
We pledge to make this the most honest, ethical, and open Congress in history. By Nancy Pelosi
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1114/p09s01-coop.html
typical new orleans corruption
Rep. William Jefferson pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of soliciting more than $500,000 in bribes while using his office to broker business deals in Africa.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070608/D8PKMVN81.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/08/politics/main2902116.shtml
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Rep.+William Jefferson%2C D-La&btnG=Search

like%u2026 I did not have *** with that woman%u2026 hahahaha

[nolalou]

When the feds found the $90,000 in his freezer, money he was paid as a bribe, he said he had a 'reasonable explanation' that will come out that trial! Boy, I can't wait to hear the doosie of a story he comes up with! "well, your honor, I just like to have cold hard cash on hand for emergencies" !

[terrapin78]

My guess is that Jefferson is a innocent as Tom Delay.

[terrapin78]

Scooter will (he had better be) be disbarred soon by the ABA.

Just like Sandy Berger!

[mudrose-2009]

Scooter will (he had better be) be disbarred soon by the ABA.

Just like Sandy Berger!
Posted by Terrapin78

Nah, Scooter is going to be pardoned. Valerie Plame's covertness was never fully established and the prosecutor, the jury and the judge had before them a case that purported to stand alone, a trial of one man's memory and recollections. The case has always been about Iraq and Scooter was the fall guy. Disbarred, nah, I don't think so.

[pakaal]

"Valerie Plame's covertness was never fully established"
Posted by mudrose at 04:39 PM : Jun 08, 2007

Mudrose, are you lying intentionally, or just crazy?

Both Tenet (the former CIA head) AND Hayden (the current CIA head) testified to Congress that she was covert. Not to mention that an unclassified CIA review of her work history released May 29 of this year confirms - yet again - that she was covert.

The only thing that has never been "fully established" is how people can be so woefully ignorant (or intentionally misleading) that they still say Plame wasn't covert, when the facts prove conclusively otherwise.

[nolalou]

mudrose,

I don't know how we got on the Scooter Libby issue in this thread, but here you go again, repeating the BS that "Valerie Plame's covertness was never fully established". The CIA said she was covert, isn't that enough for you F-ing jerk-offs! Her 'outting' was a CRIME!


This quote is from news reports at the time of the trial:
"In new court filings, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has finally resolved one of the most disputed issues at the core of the long-running CIA leak controversy: Valerie Plame Wilson, he asserts, was a %u201Ccovert%u201D CIA officer who repeatedly traveled overseas using a %u201Ccover identity%u201D in order to disguise her relationship with the agency."

I won't be surprised however, if Libby is pardoned eventualy, mabye right before Bush leaves office.

[notblue]

Libby never "outed" Plame, no one was ever prosecuted or convicted for outing Plame. What will come to the surface regarding Wilson and Plame was they had a political agenda to discredit the president. Also, those two have become very rich thanks to the liberal mainstream media via book deals interviews etc. etc.. SO who are the true winners? Plame, Wilson, and the leftwing media. Who are the losers? The American people for not getting to the truth on either side and having to pay millions in tax dollars for what amounts to a waste of time.

[adian1-2009]

As part of the proceedings against this crook, a judge issued and order yesterday to freeze Jefferson's assets. Isn't it funny? When the FBI excecuted a search warrant in Jefferson's home, they found that he had $90,000 in cash precisely in his freezer! So, why an order to freeze his assets? He had been freezing his assets without any court order!!!

[rushlimpdrug]

Nothing good comes out of lowsyana. Katrina did them a favor just ask the bush family.
Guy doesn't even know where to stash his cash.
He looks like all the rest of the crooked politicians.
Perhaps he can become a radio talk show host.
He's already bald and stupid looking.
All he needs now is to lose weight, take viagra,
and chase chicks on the internet