Indictment Sought Against Rep. Jefferson
CBS News: Sources Say Corruption Charges To Be Brought Against Democratic Congressman
Rep. Jefferson Wants Papers Returned
Louisiana Congressman Turns To Appeals Court After FBI's Raid Of His Office Last May
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William Jefferson Retains La. House Seat
Congressman Defeats Fellow Democrat Despite Ongoing Bribery Investigation
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WASHINGTON, June 4, 2007
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Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., won re-election last year despite a looming bribery investigation. (AP)
Fast Fact
Jefferson has been under vestigation for allegedly accepting $100,000 from a telecommunications businessman, $90,000 of which was later recovered in a freezer in the congressman's Louisiana home.
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(CBS) Sources tell CBS News that authorities are seeking an indictment against Congressman William Jefferson, D-La., on more than a dozen counts involving public corruption.
Jefferson has been the subject of a ongoing probe in which FBI agents allegedly found more than $90,000 in cash in his freezer.
CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports that the Justice Department is expected to unveil the charges later today.
This was the latest development in the 16-month international investigation of Jefferson, who allegedly accepted $100,000 from a telecommunications businessman, $90,000 of which was later recovered from a freezer in the congressman's Louisiana home.
Last year prosecutors and the FBI seized nearly 19,000 pages of documents and electronic files from his office.
Jefferson's attorney argued before a federal judge last month that the seizure was unconstitutional because, while FBI agents looked for documents related to a criminal bribery investigation, they also examined many other records related to Jefferson's work as a legislator, in violation of the constitutional principle that the executive branch may not use its law enforcement powers to infringe on the independence of the legislative branch.
The bulk of the Jefferson investigation has essentially been on hold since last summer because of the legal fight.
Jefferson, who has publicly denied any wrongdoing, won re-election last year despite the looming investigation.
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