Democratic Rep. Jefferson to receive 16 count corruption indictment

Michael Roston

Published: Monday June 4, 2007 Print This Email This

Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) is set to face 16 public corruption charges from federal authorities, according to breaking news reports. A maximum sentence for Jefferson could reportedly result in 200 years in prison. The Justice Department will announce the charges in a 3:30 PM press conference.

Reuters is reporting that Jefferson will face a range of charges, including "racketeering, soliciting bribes, fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act."

The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington posted the full indictment to their blog, which can be downloaded from this link.

The Associated Press added that the charges against Jefferson were substantial, and the penalties could be significant.

"A Justice Department official familiar with the case said the indictment outlining the evidence against Jefferson is more than an inch thick and charges the congressman with crimes that could keep him in prison for up to 200 years," wrote Lara Jakes Jordan.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune also says that Jefferson could continue to serve in Congress in spite of the charges filed against him.

An aide to the Louisiana Democrat, who was re-elected last November in spite of the cloud hanging over him, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy last year. Vernon Jackson, CEO of a Kentucky-based internet company, also pleaded guilty to the act of bribery which Jefferson's aide admitted to arranging.

Jefferson's home and office in Washington, DC, were raided by the FBI in May last year, triggering a conflict between the executive and legislative branches in which former House Speaker Dennis Hastert spoke out in Jefferson's defense.

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