Brooks-Simms secretly recorded conversations with Mose Jefferson

Times-Picayune ^ | June 20, 2007 | Coleman Warner and Gordon Russell

[BBell]

Working with FBI agents, former Orleans Parish School Board president Ellenese Brooks-Simms secretly recorded several recent conversations she had with Mose Jefferson -- the brother of indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson and the man who investigators believe paid her bribes -- as part of her agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors, sources close to the case say.

Brooks-Simms pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal fraud and kickback charges in connection with a scheme to win board support for the purchase of the "I CAN Learn" computer-based algebra tutorial.

Federal authorities often ask witnesses to "wire up," as it's known in courthouse vernacular, as a way of securing potentially damning evidence against a prospective defendant. Doing so can earn a cooperator, who may be facing serious consequences, a greatly reduced prison sentence. In an effort to help prosecutors put together a case against him for paying the bribes, Brooks-Simms met in person with Mose Jefferson and captured him on tape discussing the transactions at the center of the government's bribery case against her, one of the sources said.

[BBell]

A follow up to yesterdays post. William Jefferson and his family. Fine and upstanding. From the article:

"But Pastorek said he didn't believe the case against Brooks-Simms would strengthen the view that the Orleans Parish School Board can't be trusted."

Anyone who thinks the Orleans Parish School Board can be trusted is a fool.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1853593/posts

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

..."wire up," as it's known in courthouse vernacular...

Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that lawyers abuse this phrase?

/h

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I wonder if NIKE will start a new campaign with him:

Mose Knows - Bribery?

Mose Knows - Kickoffs backs?

[Roccus]

“The B!7(# set me up!!!!!”

[Libloather]

Brooks-Simms pleaded guilty Wednesday...

ANOTHER PERP WALK! (Wow - they're dropping like flies.)

[Calpernia]

>>>>Wow - they’re dropping like flies.

BTTT

[BBell]

Marion Berry’s famous line.

[Tulane]

Culture of corruption ping. By the bye, is Mose Jefferson a republican? Didn’t think so.

[BBell]

Mose Jefferson isn’t a republican but Bobby Jindal is and he says he’s going to clean up Louisiana. He’s got my vote.

[Tulane]

Jindal is great. I no longer live in New Orleans or LA, but if he runs I am sending money.

[UnklGene]

Open YOUR freezer, Mose!

[BBell]

I’ll vote for him for you. I’ve already voted for him twice, in two different elections that is. Not being in the old boy network sure is a disadvantage in LA. politics for him. This time I think he will overcome it and win the Governorship. I could see him running for higher office some day.

[BBell]

Good one.