Congressman William Jefferson (D-La)
Posted on 06/05/2007 4:44:43 PM PDT by Libloather
Analysts: Jefferson family members could be used in deal attempt
05:53 PM CDT on Tuesday, June 5, 2007
WWLTV.com
Congressman William Jefferson (D-La)
The 94-page indictment against Congressman William Jefferson refers to his wife, daughters and two brothers only as family members, but the indictment contends that at least two of them played major roles in the scheme the government describes.
A few legal analysts who talked to Eyewitness News have raised the possibility that the threat of legal action against the family members could be used in an attempt to compel Jefferson into a plea bargain.
“There’s no doubt that the status of those family members could be a bargaining chip that the government will use at the appropriate time,” said former federal prosecutor Shaun Clarke.
Noted local defense attorney Robert Jenkins has similar feelings. He believes that the government could utilize the threat of a superceding indictment on family members to compel Jefferson to take a plea.
Clarke says some members of Jefferson’s family could face the same types of charges the congressman faces.
“They would be aiding and abetting in the solicitation of a bribe,” he said. “They could be part of the wire fraud. They could have been charged as principals in the RICO enterprise.”
Clarke said the indictment indicates that someone identified only as ‘family member number one,’ received some of the illegal cash and ‘family member number two,’ was at a critical meeting where a bribe was solicited.
Given those allegations, some wonder why Jefferson’s family members weren’t indicted as well. Some believe the government didn’t want to overextend.
“They don’t want to look like they’re piling on,” said Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
“They just don’t want to create the perception that they’re reaching too far,” agreed pollster Silas Lee.
According to the indictment, family members played a role in some of the eight Jefferson family-controlled companies that were named.
In BEP Consulting Services, LLC, the Secretary of State says the registered agent and manager is Congressman Jefferson’s brother Mose.
In Global Energy and Environmental Services, LLC, the indictment says five family members are listed as members.
In Jefferson Interests, INC., two of the congressman’s brothers are key officers and, in Multi-Media Broad Band Services, the congressman designates one of his daughters, identified as ‘family member number five,’ as the CEO.
And, in the family-controlled group named most often in the indictment – the ANJ Group – the Secretary of State says the manager is Andrea Jefferson, the congressman’s wife.
I guess Billy Jeff (D-La) could confess and get the Sandy Berger sentence...
If 2 more of them comitted criminal acts, indict them too..........let’s have a trial or three.
Nailing him on YouTube — http://youtube.com/watch?v=hE2EpTpZ264
And, in the family-controlled group named most often in the indictment – the ANJ Group – the Secretary of State says the manager is Andrea Jefferson, the congressman’s wife.
The Fed needs to let this POS know three things: 1) You are going to jail. 2) Some of your family members will probably join you. The "for how long" question depends on how "cooperative" you are. 3) You are going to jail.
Tom Delay resigned. Why won’t Jefferson? This should be a GOP commercial about the culture of corruption.
Nancy will be doing the worm wiggle, big time.
He just has the look of a guilty mug.......
Yes, I know what they look like.
Please refer to Exhibit A.
:)
The family that commits crime together should spend time together. Jail them all.
I visit “THISDAY ONLINE” website daily. A link follows of just one comment from a poster.
Folusoji@yahoo.com
06.05.2007 19:28
Until we start from Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and probe everyone in his administration, what we saw during his regime will be a child\’s play in this coming administration. I hope Nigerians have not forgotten the lootings of Abacha and his succesor who blatantly slap Nigerians by donating $13,000.000 for United States University in Chicago, when Nigerian Universities could not even pay their lecturers salaries.
The Internet is here to save us. We are putting up a comprehensive database to collect information about the past officials. We\’ll by all means re-cover the stolen wealth back from them or their children and great grandchildren, and jail them all when they no longer hold powers. It will take time, but we\’ll do it.
$13,000,000 to a Chicago University? The article is about Wm. Jefferson.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/ncomments.php?id=80097
Could be.
It definitely wouldn't be the Scooter sentence, those are reserved exclusively for people who don't commit actual crimes.
I hope Nigerians have not forgotten the lootings of Abacha and his succesor who blatantly slap Nigerians by donating $13,000.000 for United States University in Chicago, when Nigerian Universities could not even pay their lecturers salaries.
Ummmmm.......what is it you are smoking?
Sorry if I offend, but WTF are you talking about?????
Most of Billy Jeff's (D-La.) crimes involve Nigeria. Damn near ruined the entire country all by himself...
US congressman charged with paying off Nigerian
James Vicini | Washington, United States
05 June 2007 10:29
United States Democratic Representative William Jefferson, accused of hiding $90 000 of intended bribes in his freezer, was charged on Monday with soliciting bribes and paying off a Nigerian official.
The 16-count indictment charges the Louisiana lawmaker with racketeering, soliciting bribes for himself and his family, fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Jefferson (63) a member of Congress since 1991 whose district includes New Orleans, faces a maximum of 235 years in prison if convicted. His lawyer said Jefferson was innocent and would fight the charges.
The investigation has centered on whether Jefferson used his position to promote the sale of telecommunications equipment and services offered by a Louisville-based firm to Nigeria, Ghana, and possibly other African nations in return for stock and cash payments.
Jefferson won re-election to a ninth term in Congress in November, when voters shrugged off the federal bribery investigation.
The indictment provided some new details about the lengthy probe, including commentary from an FBI witness who gave Jefferson $100 000 in cash that was intended as a bribe for the unnamed Nigerian official in 2005.
It said Jefferson put in his home freezer $90 000 of the cash, which was separated in $10 000 amounts, wrapped in aluminum foil and concealed inside various frozen food containers.
Jefferson said the bribes should be funneled through companies controlled by staffers and relatives, according to the indictment. "I'm in the shadows behind the curtain somewhere," the indictment quoted him as saying.
'Jefferson is innocent
Jefferson's attorney, Robert Trout, told a Los Angeles news conference that his client would challenge the indictment and would not plea-bargain.
"Congressman Jefferson is innocent. He plans to fight this indictment and clear his name," Trout said.
In November, Democrats won control of the US Congress from Bush's Republicans, promising to end a "culture of corruption".
Most of the scandals that have rocked Capitol Hill in recent years involved Republicans, many of them briberies tied to now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Former Republican Representative Bob Ney of Ohio pleaded guilty last year in the Abramoff scandal. In a separate case, former California Representative Randy Cunningham, a Republican, pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
Two former associates of Jefferson have pleaded guilty to bribery charges and have been cooperating in the investigation, which included an unprecedented search by FBI agents of his congressional office last year.
The indictment says the bribery conspiracy began in 2001.
It said the purpose of the conspiracy was "to provide for the unjust enrichment of defendant Jefferson and his family members by corruptly seeking, soliciting and directing that things of value be paid to him and his family members in return for ... Jefferson's performance of official acts".
In Congress, House Republican leader John Boehner said he planned to introduce a resolution to have the ethics committee review the case against Jefferson and recommend within 30 days if Jefferson should be removed from office.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said if the charges are true, "they constitute an egregious and unacceptable abuse of public trust and power". But she cautioned he "must be considered innocent until proven guilty." - Reuters
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=310427&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/
Oh yes, I forgot all about the Nigerian connection.
But I think it's a huge stretch to say that he, "Damn near ruined the entire country all by himself...
After all, they have all the despot dictators that are more than willing to do that, and not let some 3rd rate HOR thug from the US do it.
Thanks for the memory bump.
Best Jefferson go to a full trial. Best the Nancy woman get involved in dealing with ol'Alberto's break-in at the Rayburn building.
Failure to force Alberto to obey the law and adhere to the better sort of American traditions will do nothing but foster disrespect for the law and turn us into just another banana republic.
President denies persecuting deputy
September 13 2006 at 05:17PM
Lagos - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has categorically denied persecuting his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, who is under investigation on charges of alleged corruption.
"Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has alleged political persecution and all sorts of things. That is far-fetched by all standards," the presidency said in the Obasanjo's first official statement on the issue late on Tuesday.
Abubakar is under investigation for allegedly receiving a bribe from US congressman William Jefferson to help the US politician win a telecoms contract in Nigeria.
The vice-president is also accused of influencing the placement of government petroleum funds in commercial banks in which he is alleged to have interests.
Abubakar is planning to run for the April 21, 2007 presidential elections to succeed Obasanjo who will be stepping down after two terms in office, but his bid could be thwarted by the corruption allegations.
Obasanjo on Tuesday released evidence from the investigation to the press, including cheques and letters received from Jefferson.
The president, who has publicly accused Abubakar of disloyalty and vowed not to hand over power to him, last week sent the Economic and Financial Crime Commission report on his deputy's alleged graft to the Senate for consideration.
The report has whipped up controversy here, with heated exchanges between Obasanjo and his deputy amid intense media interest.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has filed papers at a federal high court seeking an injunction against the EFCC report, and seeking to quash the indictment.
No date has yet been set for hearing. - Sapa-AFP
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Africa&set_id=1&click_id=&art_id=qw11581408808B252
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