Posted on 06/25/2006 5:06:56 PM PDT by khnyny
Brett Pfeffer, a former legislative assistant to U. S. Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana, was sentenced May 27 by a judge in Alexandria to eight years in prison for conspiring to bribe the embattled Louisiana Democrat.
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III told Pfeffer that his sentence could be reduced significantly for cooperation with investigators. But, it would be difficult to overstate the seriousness of this offense, Ellis said at Pfeffers hearing.
In January, Pfeffer, 37, pleaded guilty in Federal Court in Alexandria to conspiracy to commit bribery and aiding and abetting the solicitation of bribes by a member of Congress. Pfeffer admitted then that he went along with Jefferson`s demand for a 5 percent to 7 percent share of the $3.5 million that his boss planned to invest in telecommunications ventures in Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria.
A source close to Pfeffer told The Alexandria Times in January that Pfeffer was a longtime associate of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who recently pleaded guilty to Federal corruption charges. Brett wanted to be just like Jack, said the source, who asked not to be identified. He wanted his deals, he wanted his money, he wanted his power.
(Excerpt) Read more at alextimes.com ...
I especially like the part that says "U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III told Pfeffer that his sentence could be reduced significantly for cooperation with investigators."
[A federal jury found former White House aide David H. Safavian guilty yesterday of lying and obstructing justice, making him the highest-ranking government official to be convicted in the spreading scandal involving disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001626.html
This kid, Safavian got ten years. Of course, he's a Republican. Looks like there is some serious injustice and game playing going on.
Culture of Corruption !
ping
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