ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Prosecutors called a former Louisiana congressman's corruption the most extensive in the history of Congress. His punishment delivered a similar message.
William Jefferson, who famously hid $90,000 cash in his freezer, was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison for taking bribes, the longest term ever imposed on a congressman for bribery.
The Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans for nearly 20 years was convicted in August of taking about $500,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa. Jefferson is appealing the conviction.
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said public corruption was "a cancer on the body politic."
"There must be some sort of greed virus that attacks those in power," said Ellis, who lamented that so many other congressmen have been convicted on similar charges.
But the other punishments weren't quite as severe. For example, former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after pleading guilty in 2005 to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors. Former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for taking bribes from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and ex-Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, served a 7-year sentence after being convicted in a 2002 trial of bribery and racketeering.
Defense attorneys were counting on those cases when they asked for less than 10 years; prosecutors wanted Jefferson, who is 62, to serve 27 years.
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4 comments:
A primary reason for voters to vote against every encumbent being opposed.
As voters we must summon the courage and good sense to send this message to the politicians.
They must learn that are elected to serve, not rule.
At one time there were no lobbyist for special interest. Their infulence and money have had devastating effects on politicians.
Is is possible to enact laws that would prohibit lobbyist from giving huge sums of money, parties and favors to elected politicians.
Let the politicians get thier feed back from the people, in the manner as originally intended by the founders.
All of my support would go to candidates supporting this concept.
I got a box of bibles and preachers on standby for the remaing crooked pols. including the current altimore mayor. Woopie
Typical corrupt Democrat !
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