Posted on 11/10/2009 11:07:47 PM PST by Libloather
William Jefferson's attorneys to ask that he remain free on bond after sentencing
By Jonathan Tilove
November 10, 2009, 8:30PM
Attorneys for William Jefferson are asking a federal judge to allow the former Democratic congressman to remain free on bond after his sentencing Friday pending appeal of his conviction on 11 counts of corruption.
In the filing Tuesday, the attorneys said Jefferson's appeal stands a reasonable chance of success and that, contrary to the assertions of the U.S. attorney's office, Jefferson poses no flight risk.
"Even if he could leave the country, there is absolutely no likelihood that the defendant would do so," Jefferson's attorneys said. "Mr. Jefferson has a wife, five daughters, and four grandchildren to whom he is entirely devoted, and it is his fervent desire at this juncture in his life to spend as much time with them as possible."
The motion notes that the Jeffersons attend church every Sunday followed by a meal with their extended family and "there is no reason to believe that Mr. Jefferson would voluntarily separate himself from the bonds of family and faith that tie him to Louisiana."
"Mr. Jefferson is not going to run away from this court or its sentence," the motion states. "He has no interest in being a fugitive convicted forever of bribery. What he intends to do is what he has done all along: stand and defend himself."
The government last week recommended that Judge T.S. Ellis III sentence Jefferson to between 27 and 33 years in prison. The government also recommended that Jefferson immediately be taken into custody.
But Jefferson's attorneys said that at the very least the former nine-term congressman ought to be able to spend a last Christmas with his family before reporting to prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
That's typical with most felons.
Just curious...who paid him the bribe. Are they being charged too? What company does the briber work for?
Some African county, wasn’t it?
Devoted to his family.
Birds of a feather...
per Wikipedia:
On June 9, 2009, prosecutors in William Jefferson’s corruption trial released a 152-page list of trial exhibits including a list of Jefferson’s daughters and the elite colleges they attended, asserting that his daughters and the colleges they attended were the beneficiaries of bribes paid to ANJ Group in exchange for Jefferson’s assistance in securing contracts for American companies in western Africa.[13]
Jefferson is the brother of New Orleans assessor Betty Jefferson, Democratic field operative and convicted felon Mose Jefferson,[14] Archie Jefferson and Brenda Jefferson Foster. He is the uncle of Angela Coleman.
In 2009, Betty, Mose, Angela Coleman, and Mose’s longtime compainion, former New Orleans City Councilwoman, Renée Gill Pratt were under indictment for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. On 2009 June 5 all the defendants pleaded not guilty. Brenda Jefferson Foster is serving as a witness in the government’s case against them.[15] Mose Jefferson is also facing a separate trial for bribing Orleans Parish School Board president Ellenese Brooks-Simms.[16] Archie Jefferson is a convicted felon.[17] On 2009 July 28, United States federal judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle delayed the start of the racketeering trial to 2010 January 25. The bribery trial of Mose Jefferson alone was still set to begin on 2009 August 10.[18]
He won’t flee to another country, but New Orleans’ sister city of Chicago, or anywhere in New Jersey, both of which will probably give him corruption amnesty and refuse to extradite.
Hey Jefferson, go to prison and then go to hell!
I’d imagine the list is fairly long. In the case he was convicted on a telecom company bribed him to help them get a contract in an African country.
More like "self service", wouldn't you say? I'm sick of this implication that bureaucrats and politicians are selfless and better than the rest of us. (See my tag)
Maybe he can share an out of jail apartment with Wesley Snipes.
Just curious, he sounds like a loyal and devout man who would never do the wrong thing.
Jefferson is the brother of New Orleans assessor Betty Jefferson, Democratic field operative and convicted felon Mose Jefferson,[14] Archie Jefferson and Brenda Jefferson Foster. He is the uncle of Angela Coleman.
In 2009, Betty, Mose, Angela Coleman, and Mose’s longtime compainion, former New Orleans City Councilwoman, Renée Gill Pratt were under indictment for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. On 2009 June 5 all the defendants pleaded not guilty. Brenda Jefferson Foster is serving as a witness in the government’s case against them...
Whoa! None of that Honor Amongst Thieves and a not even a drop of Blood Is Thicker Than Water with this bunch.
Gonna' make for an interesting family reunion o/ the holidays.
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