Another tip of the corruption iceberg
The infamous $90,000 in cash found in the freezer of a formerLouisiana congressman accused of taking bribes is evidence of nothingmore than a failed FBI sting, a defense lawyer told jurors Tuesday.
William Jefferson,a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans until losing hisre-election bid last year, is charged with soliciting bribes,racketeering, money laundering and other crimes. Prosecutors say hereceived more than $500,000 and sought millions more in exchange forusing his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
In opening statements Tuesday in U.S. District Court, defense lawyer Robert Troutaddressed at the outset what he called the “elephant in the room” — thecash that was found in the freezer in Jefferson’s Washington home andcaptured most of the headlines associated with the case.
Jefferson and his wife had more than $60,000 in credit card debt,more than $40,000 in bounced check fees and bank penalties and had beenpaying for Ivy League educations for his five daughters. The financialpressure may have motivated him to seek bribes.
“This case is about … one of our government’s most powerfulofficials using his public office for private gain repeatedly,” Lytlesaid.
The FBI sting involving the cash that ended up in the freezeris just one part of the government’s case. Prosecutors allege numerousbribery schemes involving Jefferson and multiple companies.