Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., was indicted Monday on 16 counts related to a long-running bribery investigation on counts including racketeering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury on Monday indicted Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson on 16 charges relating to a long-running investigation into bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering.
Calling it a “broad range of serious crimes,” federal prosecutors called the case one about “greed, power and arrogance.”
“The 16-count indictment alleges a pervasive pattern of self dealings, bribery and corruption by Mr. Jefferson, in violation of his oath of office, of his duty to the United States Congress in which he served, and of the duty to the citizens of the United States,” said Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The officials said the investigation spanned from the United States to Africa and alleged it involved a number of occasions of criminal conduct by Jefferson, including bribing businessmen in a congressional building and promising a businessman that he would bribe a Nigerian official.
Washington, D.C.—Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today following the federal indictment of Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana:
“The charges in the indictment against Congressman Jefferson are extremely serious. While Mr. Jefferson, just as any other citizen, must be considered innocent until proven guilty, if these charges are proven true, they constitute an egregious and unacceptable abuse of public trust and power.
“As we have demonstrated in implementing tough ethics reforms and passing tough lobbying reforms already this year, Democrats are committed to upholding a high ethical standard and eliminating corruption and unethical behavior from the Congress.”
Wild Thing’s comment………..
In a separate statement, Former Vice President Al Gore thanked Congressman Jefferson for protecting US currency from global warming. Heh heh
While Mr. Jefferson, just as any other citizen, must be considered innocent until proven guilty
This of course doesn’t apply to US Soldiers and Marines. Just as Murtha.
Democrats are committed to upholding a high ethical standard and eliminating corruption and unethical behavior from the Congress.
Hahahaha!
Let’s see 16 counts, up to 200 years in the Big House ….but will he get those or not. augh!
I don’t hear anyone on the news calling for his head on a silver platter.
He should resign–he should have done it back when Katrina hit. Making those emergency workers go back for his freezer full of money.
What a butthole!
Nigeria, the most corrupt nation in the world.
Nawlins, the most corrupt city in America.
Democrats, the party of corruption.
Rep William Jefferson, the puzzle is complete.
They’ve indicted William Jefferson, when will they indict William Jefferson Clinton and the Misses? Yes Nancy, the heat must be getting to you. Don’t forget that Nancy’s path to wealth and fame was paved by corruption in the Presidio deals, along with her shadow partner John Murtha.
The Democrat party is like the old Mafia, they can launder money and hide a criminal better than the Republicans can, it comes form years of lacking any remorse or conscience.
Lynn he sure is, and we have to know he will play the innocent card as long as he can even though he was caught red handed so to speak. sheesh
Tom hahaha good one, that was great!
Jack I agree, that has been the biggest outrage till this illegal stuff, the Clinton years and all their ‘gates’ and dead bodies. And then to get away with all they did.