Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 10:23:48 PM CST


William Jefferson

William Jefferson news stories

8 Stories

New Take on
Old Law Stymies FBI Probes of Congress

Constitutional clause being used as shield

(Newser) - The FBI is doing its best to root out corruption on Capitol Hill—Robert Mueller called it the bureau’s “top criminal priority”—but investigators are being thwarted by a new twist on a constitutional provision, the Washington Post reports. The “speech or debate” clause was intended to protect lawmakers from harassing lawsuits and political attacks, but lately its interpretation has broadened. More »

More about:  Congress FBI corruption investigation Ted Stevens Tom DeLay William Jefferson Rick Renzi John Doolittle

OPINION

 Worst Members of Congress 

Esquire lists the public servants most wasting your money today

(Newser) - The competition for the worst member of Congress title was more like a marathon, Esquire reports; a wide field of people worked over long periods of time to stake their places in this list. Below, the worst of the worst: Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn: Since being defeated in 2006 (and reelected as an independent) this ex-Democrat and “small man” has been nothing but a pain for his ex-party and the country. More »

More about:  Election 2008 Congress Joe Lieberman Esquire William Jefferson Michele Bachmann John Cornyn

Black Caucus Has Indicted Rep's Back

La. lawmaker who redefined 'frozen assets' holds support

(Newser) - Bribery charges and $90,000 discovered in a freezer haven't stopped black lawmakers from backing one of their own, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports . US Rep. William Jefferson is facing trial and dwindling support in his Katrina-ravaged district, but the Congressional Black Caucus still has his back—and enough Capitol Hill power to make it matter. More »

More about:  trial bribery William Jefferson Congressional Black Caucus

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

Separation of powers violated, appeals ruled

(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. More »

More about:  Congress US Supreme Court FBI House of Representatives corruption bribery William Jefferson separation of powers

Jefferson Wins Round, Return of Documents

Appeals court says FBI violated indicted congressman’s rights

(Newser) - Rep. William Jefferson scored a legal victory today, winning the return of privileged materials from a FBI raid on his office. An appeals court said the raid itself was not unconstitutional, but the search of legislative materials was illegal. It’s unclear whether the ruling will affect the 16-count indictment against the congressman, but the Justice Department said it changes nothing. More »

More about:  FBI court bribery William Jefferson raid

Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty

Congressman answers federal corruption charges with pledge to 'fight my heart out'

(Newser) - In his first public appearance since being indicted Monday, Rep. William Jefferson pleaded not guilty in federal court in this morning. The Louisiana Democrat, facing a laundry list of charges including bribery, racketeering, and obstruction of justice, then held a press conference in which he reeled off his family's achievements and called on his constituents to "keep an open mind." More »

More about:  corruption investigation Louisiana ethics bribery obstruction of justice racketeering William Jefferson

House Moves to Expel Accused Congressman

Louisiana Democrat charged with bribery, extortion

(Newser) - Pressure mounted on William Jefferson to resign from the House yesterday as leaders of both parties piled on in the wake of his indictment on corruption, racketeering and bribery charges. Republicans moved to initiate proceedings to have the Louisiana Democrat, expelled—which, Dems noted, they did not do when GOP members Tom DeLay and Robert Ney were indicted. More »

More about:  House of Representatives corruption investigation Louisiana ethics resignation bribery racketeering William Jefferson

Jefferson Hit With Corruption Charges

La. Congressman faces 16-count federal indictment, 235 years

(Newser) - Federal officials indicted Rep. William Jefferson today, charging him with bribery, racketeering, money-laundering, and other misdeeds that could carry a sentence of up to 235 years. The Louisiana Democrat, the target of a lengthy investigation into business deals in Africa, has maintained his innocence, even after investigators found $90,000 in cash in his freezer in 2005. More »

More about:  Congress corruption Louisiana bribery bribe congressman William Jefferson

8 Stories

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »