Feds Search La. Congressman's Homes

[Rose Siding]

NEW ORLEANS - Federal agents searched U.S. Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record)'s homes and vehicle Wednesday, but authorities would not say what they were looking for.

Jefferson, a Democrat, said in a statement he was cooperating fully, though he said he did not know "the extent or precise nature of this investigation."

Federal agents searched Jefferson's homes in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans.

"As it is a criminal investigation we will not be able to comment any further," said Bryan Sierra, a Justice Department spokesman.
.....
Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1990 as the first black House member in the state since Reconstruction. He serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050803/ap_on_go_co/congressman_probe

[KamaAina]

1. One of the CAFTA 15

presumably not why this happened, but he was, probably because New Orleans has historic trade ties with Central America.

Note: I worked on the campaign of a rival candidate in the primary leading up to Jefferson's first election to the house around ten years ago. He tried unsuccessfully to get me on "Jeff"'s staff. One can only wonder what would have happened had he succeeded...

Just occurred to me: Could they be looking for evidence of CAFTA-related bribes? :tinfoilhat:

[Rose Siding]

2. That's an intriguing thought!

I'll wear that hat for a while :)

[meganmonkey]

12. ...

:o

Wouldn't that be something... :tinfoilhat:

[usregimechange]

3. driving while Black?

[wli]

4. now they're "investigating" Democrats

As predicted.

[Uncle Roy]

5. Executive branch agents can search homes of Legislative branch members?

I thought that was forbidden under our constitution. Or has that charming old document been declared "quaint" now?

The point is that federal agents are, in effect, employees of the president, and the president can not have any coercive powers over congress critters. Otherwise the separation of powers between the executive branch and the legislative branch breaks down. Or has that charming old principal has been declared "quaint" now?

Without this principal firmly in place, what is to keep a power-mad and unscrupulous president from using the FBI as a kind of Gestapo, to intimidate political opponents in the Senate or the House? This principal is the one thing that stands between us and an eventual police state. Or has that charming old concern been declared "quaint" now?

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. The power of impeachment is what keeps the executive in place

Legislators are not immune to prosecution. Just ask Dan Rostenkowski and Jim Traficant.

You may also want to keep in mind that this is Louisiana.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. WP: FBI Searches Louisiana Congressman's Homes (Wm. Jefferson, D.)

FBI Searches Louisiana Congressman's Homes
By Allan Lengel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 4, 2005; Page A05


FBI agents raided the Washington and New Orleans homes of Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) yesterday as part of an ongoing public corruption probe, law enforcement authorities said.

Agents conducted early-morning raids at Jefferson's homes in the 1300 block of F Street in Northeast Washington and in the 1900 block of Marengo Street in New Orleans, authorities said. His car on Capitol Hill was also searched.

"There were search warrants executed today in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation," said Bryan Sierra, a Justice Department spokesman. "Since the investigation is ongoing, we would not be in a position to comment any further."

Sources familiar with the probe, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, said investigators were looking to see whether Jefferson used his congressional influence in business dealings.

In 1990, Jefferson, 58, became the first African American to be elected to Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction. The eight-term congressman is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and its trade subcommittee....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301914.html

[funkybutt]

8. Unfortunately, here in Louisiana, we're not so quick to cry foul...

Convictions of sitting elected officials are not an uncommon occurance (as they should be.) So not much talk about conspiracies down here.

Jefferson's brother in law, a sitting Federal Judge, was convicted on fraud charges recently. Jefferson's name came up during the trial. Something about contributions to his daughter's campaign for state representative (which she won).

There are a staggering number of investigations going on. Many of them focusing on powerful african americans, like Jefferson. Around 8 close associates of former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial have been indicted ..the home of his brother has been searched.

Jefferson, an eight-term Democrat from New Orleans uses some of the same "political machines" here that Morial worked so well. I've often wondered how Jefferson managed to keep his head above all this corruption. Now it seems that maybe he didn't.

[quaoar]

9. If they indict Jefferson in Orleans Parish

they can forget about getting a conviction. Corruption is a given in Louisiana. Edwin Edwards proved during his reign and during his first trial that the public will tolerate a great deal of corruption as long as you entertain them.

[KeepItReal]

10. Gov. Edwards *was* convicted eventually

Much to my surprise, though.

[funkybutt]

11. Edwards is in jail now...

And frankly the people here are tired of all this corruption. Lousiana desperately needs to improve our image and grow our stagnant economy.

[Maddy McCall]

14. What's funny...

When you go to any politically historical site, guides seem to be very proud of the political corruption in the state's history.

My god, what would Louisiana be, had there never been a Huey P. ?

:D

[Maddy McCall]

13. That's the Huey Long legacy.

Entertain and pander to the masses, and you can get away with almost anything.

Edwards was a great student of Long's.

[funkybutt]

15. good article from today's TP

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-4/112314080732590.xml