September 28th 2007 Cold Case File
Representative William Jefferson, Democrat, Louisiana
Remember him ?
Rep. William Jefferson, who represents New Orleans, redefined the meaning of cold cash when FBI agents found $90,000 hidden in a freezer in his northeast Washington home in August of 2005. He had been the focus of an FBI bribery investigation when in July of 2005 he was videotaped accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant.
On June 4, 2007 Jefferson was indicted on 16 counts in a 94-page indictment that included charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 235 years.
On June 8, 2007, Jefferson pleaded not guilty to the indictment. After the hearing, Jefferson said, “I am absolutely innocent of the charges that have been leveled against me. I’m going to fight my heart out to clear my name.” He further explained, “The $90,000 was the FBI’s money. The FBI gave it to me as part of its plan – part of their plan – that I would give it to the Nigerian vice president, but I did not do that. When all the facts are understood, I trust that I will be vindicated.” The trouble is, especially with that statement, the FBI didn’t even know that Jefferson was working with them on this because, well, he wasn’t. However, one of his investors was, they were wearing a wire in cooperation with the FBI, not Jefferson.
Following Jefferson’s indictment, both Republicans and Democrats moved to initiate formal House Ethics Committee investigations into the charges but in August, 2007, the investigative subcommittee suspended its investigation into Jefferson after the Department of Justice expressed concerns that the committee’s investigation might interfere with the FBI’s criminal investigation. More specifically, the committee agreed to temporarily cease the interview and deposition of witnesses, but said it would continue to monitor the FBI’s investigation.
If you have some free time, Congresspedia has all of the details surrounding Jefferson’s antics.