Posted on 07/08/2009 3:17:29 AM PDT by Scanian
"Would you like to look inside the briefcase?" former Rep. William J. Jefferson is asked by an FBI informant on a surveillance tape played for the jury at the Louisiana Democrat's bribery trial Tuesday.
"No, I would not," the congressman replies as he takes the briefcase containing $100,000 in cash from the trunk of the informant's car -- providing what the prosecution cites as clear evidence of a criminal act.
Prosecutors say the July 30, 2005, payment was a bribe facilitated by Mr. Jefferson and intended for the vice president of Nigeria. In exchange for the money, American companies hoped to obtain contracts to provide telecommunications service and equipment to that country.
"I hope that's exactly what the vice president needs to make him work hard for us," says Lori Mody, a Northern Virginia businesswoman who worked with federal agents to secure the evidence against Mr. Jefferson.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Mr. Jefferson responds as he walks off with the briefcase.
The FBI found most of the cash a few days later during a search of Mr. Jefferson's D.C. home.
The recording provided the most dramatic moment to date in Mr. Jefferson's trial, which is in its third week and is likely to last at least three weeks more.
Mr. Jefferson, who served nine terms in Congress before he lost his re-election bid last year, faces bribery, money laundering and other charges listed in a 16-count indictment. Prosecutors in federal court in Alexandria say he received a total of $400,000 in bribes in exchange for promoting telecommunications services and equipment to several West African nations.
Defense attorneys have argued that what prosecutors call bribes were actually legitimate consulting fees
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Guilty as charged
I’d wager he traded info on Pelosi and Reid for a get out of jail free card.
“The bitch set me up”-Oh,wait!
Fortunately, Mr. Jefferson’s constituents noticed what the MSM won’t report. If he was a white Republican, how many from page stories would the NYT and the WP have run on him by now?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.