Despite all the charges, the $90 grand in the freezer, and the crooks already convicted, the good folks of Louisiana have put their trust and confidence in the (Dis)Honorable William Jefferson and re-elected him to another term in Congress.
Gotta love democracy!
The (Dis)Honorable William Jefferson, now a nine-term congressman from Louisiana, has been federally indicted on: 16 criminal counts---
-two counts of conspiracy to solicit bribes,
-two counts of solicitation of bribes by a public official,
-six counts of honest services fraud by wire,
-one count of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,
-three counts of money laundering,
-one count of obstruction of justice
-and one count of racketeering.
The 94-page indictment outlines in considerable detail multiple bribery schemes in which Rep. Jefferson participated.
January 11, 2006, Brett Pfeffer, a former legislative director to Jefferson, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official (you-know-who) and conspiracy. Pfeffer said that the congressman solicited business in Nigeria and Ghana in 2004-2005 and demanded a 5 to 7 percent kickback.
May 3, 2006, Vernon L. Jackson, a Louisville businessman who owns iGate Inc., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe and bribery. Jackson said he bribed Jefferson with more than $400,000 in payments, company stock, and shares in the company's high-tech business ventures in Africa.
May 8, 2006, a northern Virginia investor, Lori Mody, agreed to cooperate with the FBI in its investigation of public corruption and Jefferson. She was wired for sound, and met with Jefferson several times.
In Sept. 8, 2007, Jefferson, ever the non-Class Act, whips out the race card. He says he wants the case against him moved to D.C. because there wouldn't be enough black jurors in Virginia.
In November, 2007, federal prosecutors accused Mr. Bribery of soliciting bribes in two more previously undisclosed schemes.
There will not be charges filed, but prosecutors plan to present them during Jefferson's federal bribery trial as evidence of a pattern of intentional wrongdoing.
The 94-page indictment outlines in considerable detail multiple bribery schemes in which Rep. Jefferson participated.
"As I have previously stated, I have never over all the years of my public service, accepted payment from anyone for the performance of any act or duty for which I have been elected."Witnesses against the Defense:
January 11, 2006, Brett Pfeffer, a former legislative director to Jefferson, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official (you-know-who) and conspiracy. Pfeffer said that the congressman solicited business in Nigeria and Ghana in 2004-2005 and demanded a 5 to 7 percent kickback.
May 3, 2006, Vernon L. Jackson, a Louisville businessman who owns iGate Inc., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe and bribery. Jackson said he bribed Jefferson with more than $400,000 in payments, company stock, and shares in the company's high-tech business ventures in Africa.
May 8, 2006, a northern Virginia investor, Lori Mody, agreed to cooperate with the FBI in its investigation of public corruption and Jefferson. She was wired for sound, and met with Jefferson several times.
In Sept. 8, 2007, Jefferson, ever the non-Class Act, whips out the race card. He says he wants the case against him moved to D.C. because there wouldn't be enough black jurors in Virginia.
In November, 2007, federal prosecutors accused Mr. Bribery of soliciting bribes in two more previously undisclosed schemes.
There will not be charges filed, but prosecutors plan to present them during Jefferson's federal bribery trial as evidence of a pattern of intentional wrongdoing.
On the question of resigning Jefferson said ... "Far from it. I have come to declare, among other things, my continued intention to serve."
Serve whom, Congressman?
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