Thursday, August 6, 2009

donna douglas

Former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson was convicted late today of charges including bribery and money laundering. His is the case where the FBI found $90,000 of cash in his freezer. Jefferson, a Democrat who once represented parts of New Orleans, was found guilty on 11 of 16 charges. He could face 150 years in prison when sentenced.

From the Wednesday, August 5 NBC Nightly News, transcript provided by the MRC's Brad Wilmouth:

BRIAN WILLIAMS: We are back now with the case of the cold, hard cash, money that was famously found in the freezer at the home of William Jefferson, now a former Congressman from Louisiana. Tonight, there is a verdict in his criminal trial. Our Justice correspondent Pete Williams at federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, tonight. Pete, good evening.

PETE WILLIAMS: Brian, this verdict comes four years after the FBI watched Congressman Jefferson outside a Washington hotel accept a briefcase stuffed with $100,000 in cash. The jury found him guilty of planning to use that money to bribe officials in Africa who are willing to help U.S. companies in which Jefferson’s family had an interest. $90,000 of that money was found in his kitchen in his freezer wrapped in foil packets and hidden in frozen food containers. The jury also found him guilty today of taking bribes from other companies to help them do business in Africa He could face a long prison term. He’ll be sentenced in October, Brian

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