Jefferson Goes to Washington

[Freedom]

Television news was busy today, focusing on the indictment of William J. Jefferson. Allegedly, Mr. Jefferson was involved in bribery, laundering money, racketeering, and obstruction of justice.

The most entertaining part of Mr. Jefferson's visit to Washington included an earlier raid on his home, in which a refrigerator full of money was found. The $90,000 in cash found in the frig was allegedly for a bribe of a Nigerian politician.

Despite this raid, constituents from Louisiana re-elected the man to the U.S. House of Representatives. While there is no law against him remaining in office while being investigated (or indicted), you might think someone else would have managed to win the election.

Vernon L. Jackson, from iGate, already pleaded guilty on charges of bribery. In addition, an aide to Jefferson's office already pleaded guilty.

Mr. Jefferson's arraignment is Friday.

[Insane Voter]

Jefferson is charged with soliciting bribes from 11 different companies for himself and his family, as well as bribing a Nigerian government official. The indictment describes a scheme covering five years, from August 2000 to August 2005, and including a front company set up by Jefferson to hide the money.

Los Angeles Times