FoxNews: The political scuffle over Rep. William Jefferson's (D-LA) corruption charges appeared to be at a boiling point on Tuesday, a day after the nine-term congressmen was hit with 16 federal charges accusing him of using his political office to bribe businessmen and influence foreign officials. Jefferson told Democratic leaders on Tuesday that he would step down from his single committee post on the House Small Business Committee, but that was not enough for many lawmakers who said they believed he should resign. . . .The House voted 373-26 in favor of launching an investigative panel of the ethics committee to determine whether Jefferson violated the House code of conduct. Earlier, the House approved with a 387-10 vote a Democratic measure . . . requiring the ethics subcommittee to form an investigate panel if any House members are indicted or charged of a crime.
. . . Jefferson is charged with bribery, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, money laundering and racketeering. Officials alleged Monday that the nine-term representative used the power of his office to take hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes — benefiting himself and his family — from U.S. businesses and to influence foreign officials. The indictment says Jefferson received more than $500,000 in bribes and sought millions more in separate schemes to enrich himself by using his office to broker business deals in Africa. The charges came almost two years after investigators raided Jefferson's home in Washington and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in his freezer. If convicted on all charges, Jefferson could face a maximum sentence of 235 years.
As the investigation into Jefferson's dealings have progressed, he has posed a political problem for Democratic leaders. Last year, Pelosi stripped Jefferson of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, and had to fend off attacks from members of the Congressional Black Caucus who wanted Jefferson assigned to the Homeland Security Committee this year. Some Democrats called for Jefferson's resignation Tuesday. . . . [Read More]
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