Feds back William Jefferson (FELON-LA) verdict (Has yet to serve first day on 13 year sentence)

NOLA ^ | 3/12/11 | Bruce Alpert

[Libloather]

Feds back Jefferson verdict
111-page filing says jury got it right
Bruce Alpert - Washington bureau
Saturday, March 12, 2011

WASHINGTON -- A federal jury properly found that former Rep. William Jefferson engaged in "numerous bribe schemes" to "unjustly enrich himself and his family," so a federal appeals court should allow the jury's guilty verdict to stand, prosecutors say.

In a 111-page filing late Thursday to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., the prosecutors urged the court to reject Jefferson's argument that the verdict, guilty on 11 of 16 corruption charges, must be thrown out.

Jefferson's attorneys argued that actions prosecutors said were paid for with bribes were not "official acts," therefore not subject to the bribery laws. They also said a Supreme Court ruling, made after the verdict, significantly narrowed the application of one of the statutes, honest services fraud, for which the former congressman was found guilty of three separate counts.

**SNIP**

Prosecutors said the nine-term Democrat had the help of U.S. embassy officials during his trips abroad and regularly let it be known that he was a congressman during his meetings with foreign officials.

"Put differently, the government's evidence showed that, throughout the course of his five-year corruption spree, defendant consistently deployed all the trappings of his congressional office -- e.g., access to salaried congressional staff members, embassy limos, and House stationery -- to ensure that his bribe-paying constituents always got the biggest influence 'bang' for their buck," the prosecutors said.

[Libloather]

Billy Jeff was busted two House speakers ago. In November 2009, after being convicted, he faced at least 150 years behind bars but got only 13 - about one year per felony. He should've been put in prison many moons ago.

[Doogle]

...not to mention TAX evasion.

[Doogle]

Dumbo will pardon him

[upchuck]

This absolutely sucks.

THIS is what’s wrong with America. A complete breakdown of respect for the rule of law.

It’s no wonder so many Americans seem to be asleep. This kind of crap, and it’s all pervasive, turns them off.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Is Tom Delay serving his prison sentence, albeit bogus one?

[newzjunkey]

Since Holder thinks so much of "his people" I'm surprised Justice isn't fighting to have the verdict thrown out.

As it happens, William Jeffersion, (D-LA) is 64 today.

[newzjunkey]

Since Holder thinks so much of "his people" I'm surprised Justice isn't fighting to have the verdict thrown out.

As it happens, William Jefferson, (D-LA) is 64 today.

[newzjunkey]

DeLay’s case is on appeal. He was only sentenced in Jan ‘11.

[Flintlock]

Due to Jeff’s protective coloration, Holder’s ‘justice’ Dept, will not be able to see this.

[icwhatudo]

No mention of party in title, subtitle, first sentence, or first paragraph...therefore its a democrat.

[Venturer]

How many other Jefferson’s are in political office.

Plenty of them. They may be a little smarter and do it a little slicker, but they are there.

Personally I wouldn’t trust anyone holding politial office any higher than dog catcher, and sometimes I worry about them.

[Mr. K]

And his particular contituancy would cheer him getting off on charges like this

They steal and call it “getting paid”

An ex-footbal player kills his ex-wife and her stud and gets away with it, and there are celebrations

What, me? prejudice? Is pointing out facts prejudice? I am not even afraid of that race card anymore... they use it so often for everything that it now means nothing

[rod1]

He probably would not even have been caught in the blatant thefts but for an unexpected hurricane, National Guard diversions on video tape and freezer-burned money.

[Liz]

Jefferson promised his constituents an "honorable explanation" for the $90,000 cash found stuffed into Boca Burger and Pillsbury Pie Crust boxes in Jefferson's Washington freezer.

Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., makes a statement at Washington's National Airport on his way to Switzerland. (AP Photo)

" This is racism---pure and simple. I am totally
innocent. As a compassionate and tolerant Democrat,
I was just helping out a distinguished foreign dignitary."

"I got an email from Nigerian Gen Kachinga Cheatchusuckah. He had a problem."

" Now, as soon as Gen Cheatchusuckah transfers Idi Amin's
secret Ugandan gold reserves from a Swiss bank vault to a
refrigerated truck I leased............."

[backwoods-engineer]

Jefferson is only ONE of a number of felons, as yet unindicted, in or late of the Congressional Black Caucus. And probably a number of them in other cauci, too.

[StarFan]

I am not even afraid of that race card anymore

Several years ago, disgusted hearing the race card played at every turn, I predicted it would fall on deaf ears due to overuse. Today were beginning to signs of a bored populace not believing or even caring any longer, especially when William Jefferson roams free and Charlie Rangel gets a slap on the wrist.

[Red in Blue PA]

2 Sets of Laws. 2 Americas.

[oldironsides]

Did Monica Conyers start her jail term? Mrs John Conyers was convicted but I am not sure if she every went to the slammer. Surely the media would cover hubby Congressman John going to visit her.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

“Two Americas...”
Didn’t someone run for president on that idea ?

[A Strict Constructionist]

The O fix is in. Holder will hold out for Jefferson.