Feds Issue Warrants And Subpoenas to Louisiana Congressman Jefferson Premises And Person

The statement from U.S. Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) was short and to the point.

"Today, federal law enforcement officers executed search warrants on my Washington, D.C. and New Orleans homes as well as my vehicle in Washington. Subpoenas were issued to me, in my official capacity, to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and to members of my Washington and New Orleans office staff. I do not know the extent or precise nature of this investigation but I am cooperating fully with the authorities."

The federal authorities are not talking about the reason(s) for the warrants. However, there is speculation that the search specifically relates to “ Operation Wrinkled Robe”, a federal investigation involving Jefferson’s brother-in-law Judge Alan Green who was recently convicted.

According to federal court documents related to the case, in a recorded conversation Congressman Jefferson asked Judge Green to raise money for the congressman´s daughter, Jalila Jefferson-Bullock, in her 2003 campaign for the Legislature. Judges are prohibited from raising money for other political campaigns. Jefferson has denied any illegalities and his daughter has denied any knowledge of any fundraising.

FBI raids Jefferson's car, homes, treasurer
Feds are mum on reason for searches
Thursday, August 04, 2005
By James Varney and Martha Carr
Staff writers

In a series of coordinated raids Wednesday morning, federal agents swooped into the political domain of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, executing search warrants on his homes in New Orleans and Washington, the office and home of his longtime campaign treasurer, and even the congressman's car.

The scale of the raids was startling even for New Orleans, a city well acquainted with political corruption probes. But just why the agents moved with such force against the eight-term Democrat was a mystery. Federal officials in New Orleans and Washington were tight-lipped. Jefferson professed ignorance, and political insiders in New Orleans said they had heard no whispers that anything was pending.
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"I do not know the extent or precise nature of this investigation but I am cooperating fully with the authorities," Jefferson said in a statement released late Wednesday.

The statement followed hours of speculation set off around 7 a.m. when agents descended on the Poydras Street office of Jack Swetland, an accountant who has handled campaign finances for Jefferson and his close political allies, including his daughter, state Rep. Jalila Jefferson-Bullock, D-New Orleans, and District Attorney Eddie Jordan. Swetland also has served as campaign treasurer for the congressman's sister Betty Jefferson, a New Orleans tax assessor.

The FBI, whose agents led the raid, and the local U.S. attorney's office refused to discuss the matter and referred all questions to the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section in Washington. A spokesman there said warrants had been executed in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation, but he would not elaborate.

Jefferson's statement said the feds served subpoenas on him, the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and members of his New Orleans and Washington staffs.

In the hallway outside Swetland's 22nd floor office at 650 Poydras, workers said federal agents conducted themselves professionally, and were overheard asking, "Do you have anything to do with the Jefferson group?"

The raids moved from the accountant's office to Jefferson's residence on Marengo Street, and shortly before 6 p.m. agents emerged carrying about a half-dozen boxes to take with them.

The scene inevitably brought to mind a similar raid 18 months ago during which FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents broke down the door to the French Quarter residence of Jacques Morial, the brother of former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, now leader of the National Urban League, and walked away with a cache of records. Neither of the Morials has been accused of any crime, but indictments have been issued against Morial confidante Stan "Pampy" Barré, among others, and Morial's uncle, Glenn Haydel, who enjoyed a lucrative management contract with the Regional Transit Authority during his nephew's two terms in office, is at the center of ongoing federal probes.

Jefferson, who once ran against Morial and is not seen as part of his political camp, has not been mentioned in connection with any of the city contracts under scrutiny.

Before Wednesday's raids, his only association with the federal corruption crackdown was a tangential reference during the recent trial of his brother-in-law, Jefferson Parish Judge Alan Green, who in June was convicted of mail fraud.

In a wire-tapped conversation with Green, Jefferson asked the judge whether he could help raise campaign money for Jefferson-Bullock. A surveillance videotape showed a local official handing Green an envelope stuffed with cash and saying that it was for Jefferson-Bullock's campaign. But Swetland, called to the stand as a prosecution witness, testified that the Jefferson-Bullock campaign never received a contribution passed along by Green.

Jefferson, 58, in 1990 became the first African-American elected to Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction. He is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and its trade subcommittee.

His Web site lists him as chairman of the board of directors for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, a nonprofit public policy research and educational institute.

. . . . . . .

Washington bureau staff writer Bruce Alpert contributed to this report.

James Varney can be reached at jvarney@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3386.

Martha Carr can be reached at mcarr@timespicayune.com or (504)826-3306.

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