Congressman globalized his bribes
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson has been charged with
a global campaign to solicit bribes, obstruct justice and engage in
racketeering.
More than a slap on the wrist, this time
Nearly two years after federal agents reported finding $90,000 in a freezer in his Washington home, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson has been charged with a global campaign to solicit bribes, obstruct justice and engage in racketeering, Justice Department officials said Monday.
The veteran Louisiana Democrat faces 16 criminal counts, said Alice Fisher, assistant U.S. attorney general in the criminal division.
The charges are based on 11 schemes in which Jefferson allegedly solicited bribes for himself and his family from government and business officials in the United States, Nigeria, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome e Principe.
In February, Nancy Pelosi — now speaker of the House — agreed to place Jefferson on the Homeland Security Committee. Pelosi said the assignment was appropriate, given the committee’s jurisdiction over matters related to Hurricane Katrina. The 2005 storm devastated Jefferson’s district.
The article has some of the usual shuckin’ and jivin’ about how Jefferson “corruptly traded on his good office and on the Congress where he served”.
“Congress” and “ethics” shouldn’t be used in the same sentence.
Posted: Tue - June 5, 2007 at 06:47 AM