Free Republic

The chances that Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) will keep his seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee grew slimmer yesterday as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) issued a stinging assessment of the embattled Louisianan’s legal situation. “He sits on a tax-writing committee, and he had $90,000 found in his freezer. I think he’s got a tax problem if nothing else,” Hoyer said, responding to reporters’ questions about whether Democrats would seek to oust Jefferson forcibly from the panel even though he has yet to be charged with a crime. Jefferson pointedly declined a recent request from House Minority...

GREENBELT, Md. - Nigeria's vice president sought up to $500,000 and a stake in a technology venture in his country, according to statements Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) made to an FBI informant that were detailed in court documents filed in a bribery probe of the congressman. Jefferson allegedly told the FBI informant that he had delivered "African art," which authorities believe was code for cash, to the Potomac, Md., home of the wife of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar at midnight last July 31. Details of the alleged deal were included in an affidavit filed in U.S....