Posted on 02/18/2012 6:27:18 PM PST by Libloather
Former Rep. William Jefferson unaffected by measure to block pensions for felons
By Times-Picayune Staff
Published: Saturday, February 04, 2012, 11:59 PM
**SNIP**
Former Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, who was convicted of 11 of 16 corruption charges in a 2009 trial, was unaffected by the 2007 law and will remain so if the new Senate language becomes law. Attorneys have told Congress that it doesn't have the authority to retroactively take back benefits from people, including members of Congress. The bribery-related charges against Jefferson occurred before the 2007 law.
Jefferson is receiving a pension of between $40,000 and $50,000 a year. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Jefferson faces a 13-year prison sentence, the longest ever in a corruption case involving a member of Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
Was there ever a doubt?
I just wanted him time serve jail time at least.
Odd. As the law was passed in 2007, I wouldn’t think ex-post-facto would apply here, unless it was because he was out of office before his conviction and probably had his pension secured by that point. I’m not an attorney, though, so I’m just making guesses here.
Whatever the legality of it, though, I think it stinks! He’s a convicted crook and a liar, and taxpayers are still paying his way. FEH!
Oh wait, never mind. I missed the line in the excerpt about the bribery thing. Still stinks, though.
The total was $90K.
Thanks Libloather.
[singing] and that’s a Coldspot baby, yeah, that’s a bag thing...
Yes! Sure, his lawyers must assure he keeps the dough coming in, to pay his lawyers!
They make the laws (rules) so that they can always be the inners!
Yes! Sure, his lawyers must assure he keeps the dough coming in, to pay his lawyers!
They make the laws (rules) so that they can always be the inners!
I wonder what those same attorneys would say about it if the person was wearing a military uniform...
“Attorneys have told Congress that it doesn’t have the authority to retroactively take back benefits from people, including members of Congress.”
Pure BS. Congress is sovereign and can change any law that a previous congress passed. There ain’t no such thing as an omnipotent congress that can write plenary laws.
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