Feds seek 27 years for former congressman

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

ALEXANDRIA — Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison term of at least 27 years for a former Louisiana congressman convicted of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.

Defense attorneys, on the other hand, filed papers Monday arguing that a term of less than 10 years is appropriate for their client, William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans.

Jefferson was convicted in August of bribery, racketeering and other counts. The case made headlines when authorities found $90,000 cash hidden in his freezer, money he received as part of a videotaped FBI sting.

He will be sentenced on Friday. Prosecutors are urging the judge to stick to federal sentencing guidelines, which call for a term of 27 to 33 years. Such a term would be far longer than those received by other congressman in recent scandals.


Read more: http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20091110/NEWS01/911100314/1002/Feds-seek-27-years-for-former-congressman

[Demeter]

1. Such Terms Would Effectively End the GOP Forever

if their bribery was as diligently prosecuted.

Of course, they put the money into PACs and such, not freezers....and it's all technically legal (except for that which isn't).

[24601]

2. Bribery/Corruption is bipartisan - have you seen the list of members

that the House Ethics Committee is investigating? 23 of 29 are Dems, including long-time powerful chairmen Murtha & Rangel. Jessie Jackson Jr. is there, presumably because of the Illinois Senate fiasco. Jefferson of course isn't on their list since he's no longer a member.

More at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2009/10/29/LI2009102904049.html?sid=ST2009102904609

[Demeter]

4. I Never Said It Wasn't

It's just that the GOP has no exceptions.

[fasttense]

3. It's funny that Jefferson decided to use an illegal bribery system when we have a perfectly good

legalized bribery system called campaign contributions.

Hmm, I wonder if they will prosecute him like they prosecuted Tom Delay? Will we see Jefferson Dancing with the Stars?

[depakid]

5. Meanwhile torturers, banksters and food poisoners walk

Way to go Barack!

[cali]

8. Yeah, Obama's completely responsible for EVERYTHING.

Lunacy stalks DU.

[depakid]

12. Even Bush I's Justice Department dealt with these matters more effectively

A LOT of criminal were prosecuted after the S & L debacle and Peanut Corp guy (and his executives) wouldn't be walking the streets given the damning evidence- that's for sure.

Bottom line is that Holder and Obama have dropped the ball on these cases.

[Canuckistanian]

6. He should get exactly what Ted Stevens got

No more, no less.

[24601]

10. If he is acquitted, he will. A tainted conviction thrown out by the

court reverts everything back to innocent until proven guilty. It doesn't matter who the accused is - the Constitutional requirement for a fair trial is not a technicality but a fundamental right. Stevens is just as innocent as Murtha who also has not been convicted.

[Canuckistanian]

13. I was referring to the basic "luck" of defendants

Republican defendants seem to have the benefit of vast amounts of doubt. Even when they're caught red-handed with all the goodies.

Democratic defendants..... not so much.

And Murtha is a definite exception to that rule.

[Historic NY]

7. Well at least he will still have his government health care.....

:hide:

[eppur_se_muova]

9. 27 years for bribery? And Scooter Libby got what sentence for treason?

Guess there's two sets of guidelines -- D & R.

[24601]

11. Libby was not tried for Treason. Neither was he the source of the

leak. It's clear that Armitage at the State Department was the source. Libby's conviction was for obstruction & lying to the FBI.