Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Supreme Court Stands Pat on FBI Raid of Rep's Office

Separation of powers violated, appeals ruled

Share

(Newser) – The Supreme Court declined today to hear an appeal of a ruling that the FBI violated separation-of-powers law in a 2006 raid on the office of Rep. William Jefferson, the New York Times reports. Though the raid itself was not unconstitutional, an appeals court found, the FBI went too far in allowing agents to look through the Louisiana Democrat's documents.

The Bureau—which brought charges including bribery, racketeering and conspiracy against Jefferson—was forced to return the documents, but kept hard drives and other materials seized in the same raid. Jefferson has denied allegations he accepted bribes to secure business deals in Africa; lawmakers of both parties roundly criticized the White House for allowing the raid.

U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, talks to the media after voting in New Orleans in this Dec. 9, 2006, file photo.
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, talks to the media after voting in New Orleans in this Dec. 9, 2006, file photo.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., listens to testimony on Washington's Capitol Hill, in this 2007 photo. He faces a litany of corruptions charges following a 2006 raid on his Capitol Hill office.
Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., listens to testimony on Washington's Capitol Hill, in this 2007 photo. He faces a litany of corruptions charges following a 2006 raid on his Capitol Hill office.   (AP Photo)
Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., left, leaves Federal Court after a hearing about the corruption charges against him in Alexandria, Va. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008.
Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., left, leaves Federal Court after a hearing about the corruption charges against him in Alexandria, Va. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

20 Stories

cold hard cash

 Ex-Rep. Jefferson 
 Sentenced to 
 13 Years  

Pol busted with $90K in freezer betrays little emotion

Nov 13, 09 5:19 PM CST
(Newser) - A federal judge sentenced former Congressman William Jefferson to 13 years in prison today, less than the 27-plus years prosecutors called for but more than the 10-year term the Louisiana Democrat's lawyer wanted. Jefferson, who was convicted in August of 11 of the 16 counts relating to the public corruption... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Nigeria • federal courts • William Jefferson • Louisiana • bribery • House of Representatives • Democrat • money laundering • racketeering • House Democrats • public corruption • William Jefferson sentenced

(AP) - A federal jury convicted a former Louisiana congressman today of taking bribes on 11 of 16 counts in a case in which agents found $90,000 in his freezer. Former Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat who had represented parts of New Orleans, was accused of accepting more than $400,000... More »

MORE ABOUT:
New Orleans • congressman • William Jefferson • Louisiana • bribery • political scandal • William Jefferson sentenced

politics on trial

My Client's Corrupt, But
Who Isn't?

All pols have bribes in the freezer, Jefferson's lawyer contends

Jul 30, 09 8:50 AM CDT
(Newser) - Former Rep. William Jefferson’s lawyer tried a novel defense tactic in his closing arguments yesterday: putting all of the political class on trial. Sure, his client had stashed bribe money in his freezer—but hasn’t everyone, metaphorically speaking? “We all occupy the gray area,” said attorney... More »

MORE ABOUT:
William Jefferson • Louisiana • bribery • Democrat • attorney • corruption trial • Dana Milbank • William Jefferson sentenced

20 Stories


Surprisingly, Supreme Court declines to hear White House's defense of raid
Guardian (UK)

Supremes side with appellate court on 'speech or debate clause'
CNN


US 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
Congress • FBI • William Jefferson • bribery • corruption • House of Representatives • US Supreme Court • separation of powers • William Jefferson sentenced

from our news partners