Like ice cubes from an automatic icemaker, today the indictments thunked down on Rep. William "Chilly Willy" Jefferson one after another:
Rep. William Jefferson D-La., was indicted Monday on federal charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes and money-laundering in a long-running bribery investigation into business deals he tried to broker in Africa.The indictment handed up in federal court in Alexandria., Va., Monday is 94 pages long and lists 16 alleged violations of federal law that could keep Jefferson in prison for up to 235 years, according to a Justice Department official who has seen the document.
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. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.
Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes for himself and his family, and also for bribing a Nigerian official.
Will this get him another standing ovation from the Congressional Black Caucus? It's gone past meriting a mere standing O, I'd say. They should consider adding a "hurrah" for each indictment -- they wouldn't want him to think they don't support him.
Posted by floridacracker at June 4, 2007 02:21 PMI'll be very surprised if Jefferson spends more than 235 minutes in prison.
Posted by: kbiel at June 4, 2007 05:31 PMWell.. Those poor Louise ee anna folks are gonna have to fight off that nasty post Katrina stress syndrome that is still taking lives in NOLA without their best politician.
What do you wanna bet he still holds his position on HomSec steering ?? at least until the trial is over which should take about ten years.
I see where Jesse is making a case for the lack of shrinks in NOLA now... without those handy pyschiatrists around, no one can get diagnosed with the Katrina crazies.. an instant lifelong check awaits.
Posted by: csason at June 4, 2007 05:33 PMHmmmm....brings back memories of the "Gold Plumbing Caper" in Miami and the tons of cash stashed in a fireplace. Actually, a freezer may be an improvement! BTW Yoga today? I'll check my email between 10:30 and 11:00.
Posted by: Becky at June 5, 2007 08:18 AMAs Nancy Pelosi's Most Ethical Congress ever parades out its latest inductee I have to stop and wonder... will him being a member of the victim class get him a Get Out of Jail Free card if he claims racism? Come to think of it... how much longer are they going to allow him to sit on the Homeland Security committee, long enough to sell information to get bail?
Personaly, I hope he gets to serve the rest of his natural life in a federal maximum security retirement farm breaking rocks and NOT collecting a pension. I can't wait to see the term this clown gets and where he gets to serve it.
And before anyone jumps me for convicting him before the trial I believe there is ample evidence, video & hard, to send him away for a long time.
Posted by: Gmac at June 5, 2007 09:36 AMUmmm... minor correction. Jefferson is not serving on the HS committee... he was blocked from the assignment by the Republicans and only serves on the Small Business Committee.
Posted by: Gmac at June 5, 2007 10:16 AMWell if Jefferson has to resign to serve his sentence, perhaps Mayor Ray Nagin will be chosen to take his place. I hope he leaves his refrigerator for him. Perhaps his campaign symbol could be a yellow school bus.
Posted by: Phil at June 5, 2007 12:52 PMWhile in New Orleans last November I couldn't help but notice a large billboard with his pic on it in the downtown area. Having just heard of his cold cash reserves - it was weird. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the media. Catching him is a good start - now if they could just catch the rest of them (and I suspect that would be every last elected official on earth)!
Posted by: GH/SS at June 6, 2007 04:42 PMI loved the headline I saw the other day: Court freezes Jefferson's assets.
Posted by: Brian at June 10, 2007 12:02 AM