Ok Liberals why isn't CNN.COM covering Congressman Jefferson Indicted on Bribery Charges?

Question

Can't wait to read the Liberal spin on this.

WASHINGTON — Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., was indicted Monday on 16 counts related to a long-running bribery investigation on charges including bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering.

The indictment was handed up in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va. A press conference is scheduled for later Monday in Washington to discuss the case.


The 94-page indictment is more than an inch thick, and Jefferson could face a prison term of 235 years if he was convicted on all charges, and given the maximum sentence — although that is unlikely.

Click here to read Rep. William Jefferson's indictment (.pdf).

Jefferson's high-profile case revolves around allegations that he used his political influence to leverage gain for himself and his family. He is accused of hiding $90,000 in cash in his freezer in 2005 and bribing Nigerian officials.

Also, an FBI raid on his Capitol Hill office last year became a constitutional showdown between Congress and the White House. And two of Jefferson's top aides already have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in the case and agreed to work with investigators.

Jefferson, 63, whose Louisiana district includes New Orleans, has said little about the case publicly but has maintained his innocence. He was re-elected last year despite the looming investigation.

Jefferson, in Louisiana on Monday, could not immediately be reached for comment, although members of his staff in Washington said the congressman has not ruled out making a statement today.

Brett Pfeffer, a former congressional aide, admitted soliciting bribes on Jefferson's behalf and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Another Jefferson associate, Louisville, Ky., telecommunications executive Vernon Jackson, pleaded guilty to paying between $400,000 and $1 million in bribes to Jefferson in exchange for his assistance securing business deals in Nigeria and other African nations. Jackson was sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Both Pfeffer and Jackson agreed to cooperate in the case against Jefferson in exchanges for their pleas.

The impact of the case even has roiled presidential politics in Nigeria. According to court records, Jefferson told associates that he needed cash to pay bribes to the country's vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

Abubakar denied the allegations, which figured prominently in that country's presidential elections in April. Abubakar ran for the presidency and finished third.

Court records indicate that Jefferson was videotaped taking a $100,000 cash bribe from an FBI informant. Most of that money later turned up in a freezer in Jefferson's home.

In May 2006, the FBI raided Jefferson's congressional office, the first such raid on a sitting congressman's Capitol office. That move sparked a constitutional debate over whether the executive branch stepped over its boundary.

The legality of the raid is still being argued on appeal. House leaders objected to the search saying it was an unconstitutional intrusion on the lawmaking process. The FBI said the raid was necessary because Jefferson and his legal team had failed to respond to requests for documents.

The charges handed up Monday against Jefferson also include honest services wire fraud, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy.

Although the indictment will no doubt raise political pressures on him to step down, he does not face any official sanctions in Congress as a result of the indictment alone, according to House rules. But should he be convicted, Jefferson could face disciplinary action including being excluded from votes if he receives a prison sentence longer than two years.

To all, thanks for the Links at work, I couldn't find it on CNN (LNN), Fox has it on front page, I like to read all accounts of the events to form my own opinion , Thanks again

Answer 1

Communist News Network will not speak ill of one of it's own thugs.

Answer 2

They will. These allegations are old. What I find interesting is Pelosi wanted him removed from his leadership position. The Democratic Black Caucus put a lot of pressure on her to KEEP this guy on the Ways and Means Committee! Democrats knew he was going to get indicted.

Answer 3

Yep, no where on ccn.com.....unless you count the headline "U.S. Congressman Indicted in Bribery Case." Easy on the spin there buddy.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/04/jefferson.probe.ap/index.html

Answer 4

they often provide experts who're betraying a have faith extra. I undergo in ideas being in a courtroom docket as quickly as the place a nurse and her boyfriend have been convicted of advertising prescribed drugs. He have been given 18 months and probation, she have been given 10 years, simply by fact she replaced right into a nurse.

Answer 5

They are, look under Latest News Top Stories. It is about the fourth or fifth one down.

http://www.cnn.com/

Answer 6

I am amused by both conservatives and liberals, you both blame each other for every aspect that goes wrong in the world. I have the flu, who should I blame, conservatives or liberals?

Answer 7

You were saying?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/04/jefferson.probe.ap/index.html

Answer 8

Do you actually read anything? Or do you just act like a right wing blowhard all the time?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/04/jefferson.probe.ap/

Answer 9

Guys, stop posting links that prove dez604 wrong! That's just liberal spin!!

Answer 10

Congressional corruption in both parties happens so often that it is no longer news.

Answer 11

Interesting take, because they were just broadcasting the news conference about it LIVE on CNN.