Posted on 05/30/2006 7:24:50 PM PDT by FairOpinion
The Justice Department yesterday vigorously defended the recent weekend raid of Rep. William J. Jefferson's Capitol Hill office as part of a bribery investigation, asserting that the Democratic lawmaker attempted to hide documents from FBI agents while they were searching his New Orleans home last August.
The government questioned in a 34-page motion filed in U.S. District Court here whether it could have obtained all the materials it had sought in a subpoena if it had not launched the surprise raid on Jefferson's congressional office May 20. According to the government filing, an FBI agent caught Jefferson slipping documents into a blue bag in the living room of his New Orleans home during a search.
"It is my belief that when Congressman Jefferson placed documents into the blue bag, he was attempting to conceal documents that were relevant to the investigation," FBI agent Stacey E. Kent of New Orleans stated in an affidavit that was part of the government's court submission. The document was filed in response to Jefferson's lawsuit demanding that the government return to him documents seized during the raid on his Capitol Hill office 11 days ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
HUH?!
Just imagine how many articles would there be, daily, right on the front page and how many TV stations would lead with this news, if Jefferson were a Rebublican.
Yhey're all scared....all 535 of them....since their baseless protests of the sanctity of their office aren't going anywhere, they're gonna try to pass a law that will be as unconstitutional as their made-up talking points.
"Rebublican"
Must have been a Freudian slip...
Panel Hears Criticism of FBI Raid on Congressman's Office
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1640948/posts
I would imagine there is a great deal of shredding going on in the congressional offices these days.
I am struck with how little attention has been given to the treat by Gonzales and Mueller to resign if Bush forces the papers back to Jefferson. Good for them. Lord God I would like to see someone in the government do what is right without considering political calculus for a change. I hope Gonzales and Mueller prevail, because they are right morally and legally.
What you said! ROTFL!
I hope this FBI raid nets all guilty, Dimocraps and Republicans
They are going to pass a law to protect to shield themselves from investigations of taking bribes??
Somebody forgot to tell the FBI that the name, House of Representatives, has been changed to the House of Lords.
Only 534 more offices to go.
Not to say that Teddy and others don't already.
Did he try to hide the papers in his pants like the other guy? (I forget his name).
Sad to say but Hastert & Sensenbrenner are pissing me off a whole lot more than Jefferson did.
U.S. Congressman Jefferson Collects Bribe
Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) was caught on videotape accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant whose conversations with the lawmaker also were recorded. The bribe money was found hidden in his freezer. The plan was for the lawmaker to use the cash to bribe a high-ranking Nigerian official.
Jefferson denied he intended to go through with anything illegal. "I knew I was being videotaped," said Jefferson. "I thought I was in a movie where I play the part of a corrupt politician. The money was my fee for the role. Congressmen have it tough. Our salaries are low. We need to supplement our income from outside sources." (Senators and Representatives receive salaries of $162,100 per year.)
On the tape, Jefferson chuckles about writing in code to keep secret what the government contends was his corrupt role. As Jefferson and the informant passed notes about what percentage the lawmaker might receive, the congressman laughed and said, "All these damn notes we're writing to each other as if the FBI is watching." Later, Jefferson is shown putting the cash into his Lincoln Town Car.
One of Jefferson's associates has pleaded guilty to bribery-related charges. Vernon Jackson of Louisville, Ky., admitted paying more than $400,000 in bribes to the lawmaker in exchange for his help securing business deals for Jackson's telecommunications company.
U.S. Democrat and Republican leaders expressed outrage over a weekend FBI raid on the office of a U.S. House of Representatives member from Louisiana. "Our offices ought to be inviolable," said one senator who asked to remain anonymous. "Immunity from law enforcement is essential if we are to carry out important governmental type activities."
Bribery may not be the only "governmental type" activity taking place in the sacred halls of congress. Rumors of fornication and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information have also been making the rounds.
read more satire...
http://www.azconservative.org/Semmens1.htm
This story really irritates me!
How dare our congressmen defend that common crook, William Jefferson. Shame on them for faking rightous indignation and invoking thier protected constitutional rights in order to hide thier crimes... as IF our founding fathers planned the division of Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches for this purpose!
It was a lawfully executed search warrant, based on a mountain of evidence. Jefferson is a complete slimeball. End of story!
I like the way John Rutledge said it, "Alleged misdeeds?! Congress is the only whore house in america that loses money on a daily basis."
"49 CFR - CHAPTER I - PART 173
§ 173.160 Bombs, smoke, non-explosive (corrosive).
Bombs, smoke, non-explosive may be shipped provided they are without ignition elements, bursting charges, detonating fuses or other explosive components. They must be packaged in wooden (4C1, 4C2), plywood (4D) or reconstituted wood (4F) boxes, or plywood drums (1D), which meet Packing Group II requirements."
Scotts and kerosene are allowed.
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