Posted on 05/23/2006 12:33:37 PM PDT by LdSentinal
WASHINGTON, DC (KNX) -- Congressman William Jefferson says he's staying put. Jefferson is the target of a federal bribery investigation after FBI agents found $90 thousand in cash hidden in his freezer. He denies any wrongdoing and says he has no intention of resigning his seat in the House.
"There are two sides to every story. There are certainly two sides to this story,'' Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana told reporters, adding that he could not discuss details of the pending federal investigation.
"This is not the time, this is not the forum'' to discuss it, he said.
Jefferson declared his innocence and restated his vow that he would not leave office.
"I expect to continue to represent the people who sent me here,'' he said.
The scandal has made it more difficult for Democrats to exploit a number of alleged Republican misdeeds as they attempt to re-take control of Congress in the November mid-term elections.
Jefferson's congressional office was raided by FBI investigators over the weekend. It was also disclosed that Jefferson had been videotaped accepting $100 thousand in cash intended as a bribe for a Nigerian official. A large portion of that money made up the cash that was found in Jefferson's freezer.
Jefferson claimed the raid on his congressional office was unprescedented, adding, "There is no real authority for it."
"I will admit that these were unusual steps that were taken in response to an unusual set of circumstances,'' Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said in response to questions about the justification for the FBI search on Capitol Hill.
Jefferson failed to receive support from his Democratic colleages.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement: "Members of Congress must obey the law and cooperate fully with any criminal investigation, If they don't, they will be held accountable.''
There has been no direct call for Jefferson's resignation, but he is rumored to have been approached privately with similar proposals and has rejected all of them
The search of the House office is only incidental to the case. But nonetheless, Frist is wrong as usual. If anything, Hundred Dollar should have less of an expectation of privacy in the people's house than he would have otherwise in a regular office building. Furthermore, I believe a federal judge authorized the warrant.
Regardless, the search that matters was done last summer at his home on Marengo Street in uptown New Orleans where $90,000 of the $100k was found wrapped in aluminum foil in his freezer.
Saturday night's raid was conducted to coincide with the Mayoral election in New Orleans and to send a message to both candidates that the feds are watching.
I doubt the case will go away on a technicality.
Don't ya love these guys when they get caught THEN they have to represent the people-I have to get back and do the job the people elected me to do! Give me a break! We should clean D.C. of these crooks. How dare they all get up in arms over the FBI going in. I heard on the radio today the FBI requested papers over a week ago but no answer so what are they supposed to do? They need to live and work by the same rules we all do! They're not any better than us and should be held accountable. They are overpaid and spend too much time in front of cameras instead of working for us as they always say!
May be on other grounds that are unknown at this point but the fruits of that search aren't poisoned because the feds searched his congressional office.
"He is a scumbag. "
How dare you insult scumbags like that!! I think you owe them all an apology. (now I sound like a lib)
You know, I knew there was something illegal in that fridge the day Rush read the story of the National Guard going to his home to help him. That was during Katrina!
Hang in there billie. You show'em! Hee hee hee!
You are being too kind to Mr. Jefferson. The National Guard did not help him get to his house. Under the guise of a tour of the devastation, Mr. Jefferson ordered the Guard to take a detour to his home, in area that suffered no damage whatsoever, whereby he removed certain papers, documents and uhhh frozen foods errrr, yeah that's it foods.
He'll survive.
Yes, that's true. And it was while others were still on rooftops waiting to be rescued.
Money in the Freezer? I don't know nothin about no money in the freezer.
Did someone tell you to look in the freezer? I know I didn't tell you to look in the freezer.
What's wrong with havin money in the freezer? Is it against the law to have money in your freezer? No? I didn't think so!---Johnny Cochran
"I'm sure HIS side is gonna be a doozie."
It was and is his money. He calls it bread. He always keeps his extra bread in the freezer. Wrap it in foil. Lasts longer.
Your witness, prosecution.
Now this is a red letter day. Pelosi and I agree on something. Gives me chills.
He'll be chillin' in the cooler pretty soon, too......
Why should he resign? He'll be found guilty of a crime, be given a slap on the wrist and his constituents will reelect him back into office. After all, he may be a crook but he's their crook and that is NO/LA politics. As long as they can keep those federal checks coming, any crook is better than an honest representative. Ask Ray Nagin.
I wouldn't bet on that.
If he's tried in his district he may very well be aquitted.
Just ask O.J. if its possible.
It looks like Rep. William Jefferson (D - La.) will also have to be pushed off the cliff rather than resign voluntarily. But the Dems will get him out of there. They can't afford to throw away a seat in Congress. Though when you look at the reelection of Mayor Ray Nagin, maybe Rep. Jefferson is right to hang on, and to believe that his voters are so stupid that he can win again.
P.S. My primary is over, but because of certain legal and ethical problems, the incumbent, Charles Taylor may withdraw/be forced out, and I am in the running to be chosen as the replacement nominee for Congress in the 11th District of NC. For more information, see the article below, and my website. I still need your help.
Congressman Billybob
Excellent post.
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