Posted on 06/07/2009 12:29:36 PM PDT by Zakeet
Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson faces several obstacles to being acquitted of bribery, racketeering and other federal charges — and topping the list is explaining the $90,000 cash stashed in his freezer.
Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans until losing his bid for re-election last year, goes on trial Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria on allegations that he received more than $400,000 in bribes in return for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
Defense attorneys are expected to attack the credibility of a witness who frequently wore a wire for the government. They have to hope a jury will accept a fairly legalistic distinction that Jefferson's conduct wasn't bribery, but was more technically akin to influence peddling. And there's the money in the freezer — $90,000 wrapped in aluminum foil, found by federal agents in August 2005 in Jefferson's Washington home.
Just days earlier, agents videotaped him at a northern Virginia hotel accepting a suitcase stuffed with $100,000 cash from a cooperating witness.
[Snip]
The most important question, though, might be a technical one — the issue of what constitutes bribery under federal law.
Bribery occurs when an officeholder receives something of value in exchange for an "official act." Defense lawyers argue that unless Jefferson took money in exchange for an official duty like voting on a bill or sponsoring legislation, it isn't illegal. It may be immoral influence peddling, they say — but not illegal.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Cold Cash isn't a real Democrat. He got caught!
Wow, they mentioned he was a Democrat!
**What are the odds of conviction, 100 to 1?**
They mentioned DEMOCRAT in the SECOND PARAGRAPH. He’s going down, big time!!!
Normal AP article would have his party affiliation somewhere AFTER the 8th Paragraph.
*******Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson faces several obstacles to being acquitted of bribery, racketeering and other federal charges — and topping the list is explaining the $90,000 cash stashed in his freezer. *********
Topping the list is: He is GUILTY.
“culture of corruption” anyone?
Woo Hoooo!
William Jefferson should be fed to the local aligators.
It’s not like it hasn’t happened before to his likes.
What a bullet headed perp!
at least 3 or 4 to 1 against conviction. it will fall under the,”if he/she had it to do over again...” this preposterous line in many guises is being used to defend every sort of behaviour.
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