Posted on 05/28/2006 9:03:28 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Representative William J. Jefferson has always liked to talk about growing up in an impoverished farm community, picking cotton for $3 a day and hitting the books hard enough to win his ticket out a scholarship to Harvard Law School.
But even as Mr. Jefferson built a reputation as one of Louisiana's brightest, most effective leaders, a less flattering view began to emerge, one signified by his nickname in political circles, "Dollar Bill."
Early in his career, as a state legislator, he was criticized for enriching his law firm with contracts from state and local agencies. He also ran stores that rented appliances by the month to poor residents, owned dilapidated apartment buildings and was sued by federal regulators over a defaulted loan.
Still, once Mr. Jefferson became a close ally of President Bill Clinton, and then won a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, he was able to provide "absolute A+" support for city projects, said Marc H. Morial, one of Ernest Morial's sons and the mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002.
Mr. Jefferson also became known as a strong advocate of freer trade and made at least nine trips to Africa to promote it, including one with President Clinton. He championed a 2000 law that extended trade benefits to sub-Saharan Africa. "Africa is a reservoir of opportunities for American businesses," he said then.
Over the years, Mr. Jefferson has received campaign contributions and free travel from individuals and companies seeking business in Africa, including iGate.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Oh, I guess so we feel sorry for him and want him found innocent of BRIBERY.
"Cajunfreude"
Heh, heh! Love it! ;^)
It seems that everyone Clinton associates with ends up dirty.
Thanks for the ping, Mo1.
Looks like our Summer Reading is beginning to accumulate.
Pinz
Um, I think everyone Clinton associates with *starts out* dirty, too. ;-)
Pinz
So, let's see...
The Pied Piper has moved from multiple instances of "Fake bur accurate" to "Felonies are OK if you are a Democrat."
I wonder if he will use that defense in the courtroom later this year..."Well sure, I [description of activity with Catholic schoolgirl redacted] but imagine what Duke Cunnigham would have done to her! He would have had her mainlining heroin and watching the Miracle on Ice on a continuous loop!"
bur=but
"I would not be surprised to find a corruption link between Joe Wilson, William Jefferson, AND Bill and Hillary Clinton."
What with all the trips to Africa and one known trip made with william jefferson clinton ------
One would think they were brothers!!!
All this proves is that Harvard Law is full of cotton-pickers (giving their noses a rest).
Veni, vidi, victim.
VOMI.
My condolences on the tragic loss of your cousin. I hope the perps were apprehended and never have the chance to walk the streets again.
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