Tag: William Jefferson
Posted on Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 06:04:02 PM EST
Tags: William Jefferson (all tags)
William Jefferson (D-LA) was convicted by a jury today on 11 of 16 counts of an Indictment, including bribery, racketeering and money laundering. He was acquitted on five counts including wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The backstory:
The backstory: In 2007, Jefferson, was charged on 16 counts of bribery, racketeering, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The government alleged that Jefferson used his congressional office to help promote business projects in western Africa in return for payments for his family. The most vivid evidence put on display: that feds found in Jefferson’s freezer $90,000 stuffed in Boca Burger and pie-crust boxes.
Jefferson’s lawyer, Robert Trout argued at trial that Jefferson’s behavior was perhaps unethical and even stupid but not criminal. “To make something that isn’t criminal into a crime, ladies and gentleman, that is power,” Trout told jurors.
Over the objections of the prosecutor, Jefferson's bond was continued until sentencing. According to the prosecutor, Jefferson's sentencing guideline range could be more than 20 years.
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Posted on Sun Dec 07, 2008 at 10:21:10 AM EST
Tags: Anh Cao, William Jefferson (all tags)
Indicted longterm LA Congressman William Jefferson has been defeated. The winner of the House seat for the district which includes New Orleans is Republican lawyer Anh Cao.
Cao emigrated from Vietnam when he was 8, after the fall of Saigon. This is his first elected office and he will be the first Vietnamese-American in Congress.
Turnout in Saturday's election, which was postponed due to Hurricane Gustav, was not high. While Jefferson's corruption charges are thought to have increased turnout in the white community and largely contributed to his defeat, and turnout among blacks was lower than usual, this is also interesting: [More...]
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Posted on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 02:14:18 PM EST
Tags: William Jefferson (all tags)
Via CREW, Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson has been indicted on corruption charges. The indictment is here.
Two of his associates have pleaded guilty and turned against him.
Among the charges listed in the indictment, said the official, are racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money-laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
....Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes for himself and his family, and also for bribing a Nigerian official.
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