Defense rests in case of former Rep. William Jefferson

[funkybutt]

Source: Times Picayune, New Orleans

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - The defense team for former Rep. William Jefferson rested its case today after only half a day that included testimony from two witnesses and the playing of excerpts from government surveillance tapes.

As announced Wednesday, the nine-term Democratic congressman did not take the stand in his own defense.

Jefferson is facing a 16-count indictment that alleges he extracted bribes to family-owned businesses in exchange for his using his office to help land contracts for companies in Africa. The defense says Jefferson was acting as a private businessman and never provided an "official act" - a vote, appropriation or earmark - in exchange for compensation, as required under the statute.



Read more: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/defense_rests_in_case_of_forme.html

[joeybee12]

1. "Private businessman"?

A sitting member of Congress thinks he can conduct outside business as a "private businessman"?????

[jus_the_facts]

2. Cheney did it....so do several other congresscritter's or their spouses and other family members.

....why the surprise?

[joeybee12]

4. But did Jefferson have his own business, is my question...I know Tester has his own

ranch so outside businesses are not verboten, but did he do this and then say, oh, this was my outside business...that seems to be the case...

[No Elephants]

3. How esle would they all get to be multi-millionaires on their salaries?

Why else would they spend many times their salary to get elected? Again and again and again? And, in Congress, every two years?

Thar's gold in that thar Potomac!

Sure, some of them were independently wealthy to begin with, or married money, and wanted the power or prestige. Maybe some even a very few just wanted to be of service. But they're ALL multi-millionaires now. While running, Joe Biden was the poorest Senator and even he had a couple of million dollars.


I am starting to favor term limits, even though I see them as basically cutting my choices. American voters are just too damn lazy. Most don't go. Many who do are low info voters. The majority just keep sending the same crooks back to D.C.