The former Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson received a sentence of 13 years today — the longest term ever imposed on a congressman convicted of bribery. However, it was significantly below the 27 years sought by the Justice Department, which also failed in its attempt to have Jefferson immediately incarcerated. Instead, Jefferson, 62, will be allowed to remain free pending his appeals.
It was as good as sentence as Jefferson could expect. His attorneys had asked for 10 years, so he received just three years above the defense recommendation. The decision to allow him to stay outside on bond is a particularly impressive win for his lawyers.
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So who gets to keep the 200 thousand that was on ice, in the freezer?
Not long enough. He should have gotten 50 years. Oops, he is a Democrat.
amerstates,
Lets do the math, 50 years and he is 62, 112 sounds about right to me. No one died, he was personally selfish. No charities were scammed. Bush used the FBI to seize records of a sitting congressman. Makes sense to me. But could that same congressman if totally innocent had the ability to use the FBI to seize records from Bush? I see some problems in the making.
MEMO TO WM. JEFFERSON
IN RE FRIDAY
Friday is industrial chicken-fried mystery meat night in the pokey.
Enjoy.
Randy “Duke” Cunningham, White Republican, major corruption scandal = 8 years.
William Jefferson, Black Democrat, middling corruption of the usual congressional variety = 13 years.
Notice anything?
Mike S., I see some major differences. One pled guilty. The other was convicted. One was was one of the most highly decorated United States Navy pilots in the Vietnam War, receiving the Navy Cross once, the Silver Star twice, the Air Medal 15 times, and the Purple Heart for wounds he received under enemy fire. The other was a lawyer/politician.
One worked a plea deal, the other took their chances in court. A jury of 12 (8 women, and 4 men) convicted Jefferson.
Mike,
What I noticed is a mischaracterization of Jefferson’s crimes. New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina would have been better served if it had not had a Congressman who was the head of a crime family. His brother Mose, his sister, his niece and other have all been convicted or accused of crimes.
New Orleans deservd better than it got from Mr. Jefferson.