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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 COLD HARD CASH 
23

Ex-Rep. Jefferson Sentenced to 13 Years

Pol busted with $90K in freezer betrays little emotion

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(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 case against him, has already said he will appeal.

The case captured national attention after investigators recovered $90,000 in cash Jefferson had stashed in his freezer. The judge who sentenced him made it clear that he didn't buy the argument that Jefferson's actions were unrelated to his office, the Times-Picayune reports, calling his behavior "a cancer on the body politic."

Reporters trail William Jefferson as he enters US District Court today in Alexandria, Va., to be sentenced on charges including bribery and racketeering.
Reporters trail William Jefferson as he enters US District Court today in Alexandria, Va., to be sentenced on charges including bribery and racketeering.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), accompanied by his wife, Andrea Jefferson, enters US District Court in Alexandria, Va., today for sentencing in his bribery case.
Former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), accompanied by his wife, Andrea Jefferson, enters US District Court in Alexandria, Va., today for sentencing in his bribery case.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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23 comments
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Face-Of-RNC
Nov 13, 09 5:26 PM CST
Dollar Jefferson - a true public servant, Louisiana style. Just across Lake Ponchatrain from the JP who wouldn't marry a bi-racial couple. Louisiana politics are the country's most crooked. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
schmidtkoff
Nov 13, 09 6:18 PM CST
well kinda @face - sc could be neck and neck. although we haven't found any "frozen money" yet. just frozen politicians who can't seem to advance any legislation that would benefit their constituents.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
DavoMax
Nov 13, 09 9:08 PM CST
LOOK NOW!! Don't be shorting my state, South Carolina. We have a governor that can fly to South America and bang a chick and be home before anyone knew it.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
DontLikeYou
Nov 14, 09 7:55 AM CST
Democrat Nancy Pelosi protected him as long as she could. The culture of corruption in the democrat party is sickening.
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IN RESPONSE:
freethemall
Nov 15, 09 10:53 PM CST
One party does not have a monopoly on corruption, but power tends to corrupt. Jefferson was not in the party that had the power, but there were many examples of corrupt politicians in that party. If you live in a glass house...
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(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 »

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