The Defense of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA): When is a Congressman not a Congressman?
By Vladimir Posted in Congress — Comments (13) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Because it's important to keep this case in the public eye. And because the Prosecutor says there may be more charges to come. And because it's funny.
Judge Questions Premise of Jefferson's Defense
...said premise being that when Congressman Jefferson received $400,000 in bribes remuneration, he did so in his capacity of Private Businessman, not in his official capacity of United States Representative.
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III issued no rulings after the first round of oral arguments in the 16-count public bribery case. But he did raise questions when Jefferson's attorneys argued that the congressman's actions -- writing letters, traveling to West Africa and meeting with federal officials for paying clients -- can't be considered bribery."Using a congressman's influence is not a bribe?" Ellis asked defense attorney Amy Jackson.
R'uh-roh. Sounds like Judge Ellis has some sense.
Read on . . .
More on the case (emphasis mine):
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Lytle ... read aloud from a page on Jefferson's official Web site that said that "one of the most important things we do" in Congress is help constituents and businesses solve problems they are having with the government.[...]
Lytle reminded the court that the FBI found $90,000 in "cold, hard cash" in the freezer of Jefferson's Capitol Hill townhouse. The money, the government alleges, was meant to bribe the former Nigerian vice president to consummate the iGate contract.
Jackson said the famous freezer money, handed to Jefferson by a witness cooperating with the FBI, is irrelevant to charges relating to bribes paid to Jefferson.
"It (the money) was provided by the FBI. It was not bribe money provided to Congressman Jefferson," she said. [Oh, I get it. How could we possibly think there's anything wrong with a Congressman holding bribe money that's intended for someone else? In a way, he was performing a public service by assisting the FBI. Yeah, that's the ticket! - ed.]
Judge Ellis urged the lawyers to refrain from referring to the freezer money as "cold cash." ...
Lytle, the prosecutor, created a stir among spectators when he hinted that more charges against Jefferson could be in the offing. He said that boxes of contested documents seized from Jefferson's Capitol Hill office during a controversial raid could add to the government's case.
"We think those documents will be relevant to the ongoing investigation and new possible charges," he said.
Ann Coulter is like pushing an elevator call button more than once, or kicking a coke machine. Sure it makes you feel good but in the end it does no good in advancing your cause.
racially motivated and an attempt by Bush to deflect investigations of Katrina and how Halliburton blew up the levies.
Just asl Cynthia McKinney or Shiela Jackson Lee.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
Jefferson is unambiguously guilty and scum. Money in the freezer? I'm sick and tired of our elected officials being allowed to continue to serve in office after engaging in criminal activity. Too many of them are indicted or under indictment. Thank God for noble people like Tom Delay (of course he's innocent) who bailed out after being indicted. I'm glad that our GOP representatives have the grace to bow out after engaging in criminal activity (Larry Craig, who was obviously set up and railroaded, and thus, innocent, excepted).
Anybody got a score sheet as to which party is officially more corrupt?
Now, watch this drive.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
Haliburton didn't blow up the levies in accordance with Bush's directive? Go figure.
"Those were bribes for my contracting business, not my vote, Your Honor. That's separate. Really, I've got all the records. They gotta pay twice if they want my vote."
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
...also a consultant. The only expertise these idiots have to sell is access to power. In Mose's case, he was paid $500,000 by a software contractor just to set up meetings with the head of the Orleans Parish School Board.
Selling your vote for $X is one thing. These A-holes have their whole lives (plus their extended families' lives) built around schemes to fleece and shakedown the government and peddle their influence.
Jefferson could have been one of the heroes of Katrina. Instead of commandeering resources for relief & rescue (as did Bobby Jindal), Jefferson's attention was focused on securing the evidence.
It's such a fine line between stupid and clever. - David St. Hubbins
and I'll bet will be again (and no doubt before this case is settled).
"Using a congressman's influence is not a bribe?" Ellis asked defense attorney Amy Jackson."
This statement may be true. But if he took financial compensation for his help (even in the form of campaign contributions), then it is a bribe and is against the law.