Posted on 09/08/2006 4:21:52 PM PDT by Libloather
Ky. businessman gets 7 years for bribe to Jefferson
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press Writer
A Kentucky telecommunications executive who admitted paying more than $400,000 in bribes to Rep. William Jefferson was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in prison.
Vernon Jackson, 54, of Louisville, is a key figure in the federal investigation of Jefferson, D-La., who has not been charged. But in court papers, prosecutors have alleged that they caught Jefferson on videotape taking a $100,000 cash bribe. Most of that money later turned up in a freezer in Jefferson's home.
Jefferson was never mentioned by name in Friday's hearing, but prosecutors have made it clear in court papers that he received the bribes from Jackson, which were separate from the money found in Jefferson's freezer.
Jackson, chief executive of the telecommunications firm iGate Inc., said he paid the bribes to gain the congressman's help in obtaining business deals in Africa.
The seven-year, three-month sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III was at the low end of federal sentencing guidelines. Prosecutor Mark Lytle said Jackson is continuing to cooperate in the investigation, and his sentence could later be reduced based on that cooperation.
Jackson did not speak during the hearing and declined to comment afterward.
To: National Desk
Contact: Judy Smith, 202-321-2536 or jsmith@impactstrategiesllc.com, or Chris Garrett, 202-347-1951 or cgarrett@impactstrategiesllc.com, both for Rep. William Jefferson.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In response to today's sentencing of iGATE CEO Vernon Jackson, Congressman William Jefferson's defense counsel, Robert Trout, stated:
"Congressman Jefferson knows well the pressure that the Department of Justice can apply once it targets someone for criminal prosecution. As Jackson's plea bargain makes clear, the government has offered powerful inducements to cause Jackson to plead guilty. He has every reason to expect that his sentence will be substantially reduced depending on his testimony against the congressman.
"Given the unprecedented widespread disclosure of allegations by the government that are aimed at Congressman Jefferson, it is important to remember that the congressman has not been charged with any crime. Congressman Jefferson has repeatedly stated that he has never during his time as an elected official accepted payment in any form, for the performance of any act or duty."
For additional information, contact Judy Smith at 202-347-1951 or Chris Garrett at 202-347-1953
http://www.usnewswire.com/
But is he talking?
No! jail the pol not the businessman!
Wasn"t Vernon Jackson one of Clintons buddys in the late 90's?
What is it? Culture of conniptions? Couricolons? Criminologists? I can't remember; I haven't heard stretch-face Pelosi bleeting about that in some time now.
You're not thinking of Vernon Jordan, are you?
You may be thinking of Vernon Jordan......
Jefferson,Pack your toothbrush you slimebag DUratscum. Bring some KY also. You will be somebody's biatch sooner than later. You gonna be movin on up....to the east side.....of the prison yard.
I would say that "the noose is tightening", but someone would probably find that offensive...
Let's see, you pay a bribe and you get charged but if you accept the bribe and are a democrat congressman, you get nothing. Isn't that picture just a bit skewed?
I thought the same thing at first...both black and both scumbags.
reminds me of the torch torricelli in NJ....he was caught taking bribes.....the briber goes to jail....the torch (typical dem - part of the culture of corruption)...does not get convicted!!!!
So the guy who PAID the money get jail time, but the guy who ACCEPTED the money still walks the halls of congress? Now there is true justice!
GOOD GRIEF !!!@
they've got this moron on video and his attorney's have the gall to make this statement ?
Must be Marion Barry's former attorney's.
Some animals are more equal than others.
Why hasn't Jackson been charged? Oh, Nevermind.
Vernon Jackson.
Exactly, Vernon Jordan! But I did find a Clinton link to Jackson. It looks like he (Clinton), Jackson, Bill Gates and a bunch of others went to Africa together. I don't have the dates (was doing a goggle search and looking at titles).
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