Oh God: Filing: Tape Shows Lawmaker (Jefferson) Taking Money

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/05/21/D8HOCUJ81.html

A congressman under investigation for bribery was caught on videotape accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant whose conversations with the lawmaker also were recorded, according to a court document released Sunday. Agents later found the cash hidden in his freezer.

At one audiotaped meeting, Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., chuckles about writing in code to keep secret what the government contends was his corrupt role in getting his children a cut of a communications company's deal for work in Africa.

As Jefferson and the informant passed notes about what percentage the lawmaker's family might receive, the congressman "began laughing and said, 'All these damn notes we're writing to each other as if we're talking, as if the FBI is watching,'" according to the affidavit.

Jefferson, who represents New Orleans, has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing.

As for the $100,000, the government says Jefferson got the money in a leather briefcase last July 30 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Arlington. The plan was for the lawmaker to use the cash to bribe a high-ranking Nigerian official _ the name is blacked out in the court document _ to ensure the success of a business deal in that country, the affidavit said.

[SharonAnn]

1. What's wrong is wrong! R, D or I.

[babylonsister]

4. Agree. If he's a crook, he should be caught. But that also applies

to all the crooked repugs. They're making lots of noise about this guy, I'm waiting to hear about all the corruption happening within the repug party as well.

[SoCalDem]

2. OMG.. The Nigerian who emailed me was telling the truth

[bluestateguy]

3. It's a safe Democratic district. Jefferson is expendable.

I'm not sticking my neck out for him.

[JNelson6563]

5. He needs to go then

Unacceptable from any elected official. Shame on him!

Julie

[LiberalVoice]

6. WTF! July!

10 months ago! They have him on tape accepting the money and no charges have been filed? Land of the free my ass.

[Junkdrawer]

7. They seem to have been holding the "Democrats are corrupt too" card...

until it was closer to the 2006 elections.

[Robbien]

9. They were probably holding the tape over his head to get

him to support GOP bills, but now they have a better use for the tape. Paint Democrats with the same corruption brush.

Wonder how many tapes they have, and on which Congressmen? California's Pombo (R) looked pretty scared after a backroom meeting with the GOP. Hmmm.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. That's what I was thinking. How convenient. Hell, he's probably

guilty, but they are using him so we can not keep repeating Republican corruption...

[Flubadubya]

8. Not so much the crime, but what the media makes of it...

If the man is guilty of bribery then they need to charge him and take him to court. What chaps my ass, of course, is the fact that the "librul" media has taken this case and made it the centerpiece of political corruption... the one outstanding example of what is wrong with Washington. Of course, the accused just happens to have (D) by his name.

No further mention of Jack Abramoff and his minions, Porter Goss and his cronies... oh no, all that's F.I.D.O. (Forget It, Drive On!). No, Jefferson is now la nouvelle bête noire of corrupt politicians, the dirtiest dog of all!

For Corporate Media, scapegoat is spelled D-E-M-O-C-R-A-T. :grr: :thumbsdown:

[Divine Discontent]

10. they'll put a lot of focus on this if he doesn't resign immediately

I was behind him until I heard the audio they say they have and video, so if true, he should stop hurting the dem party....

[Kingshakabobo]

11. It doesn't help that OUR guy is on tape AND committing an easy....

...crime to understand, versus Delay's "paperwork" crime.

That being said, I agree with you.

[diamondsndust]

12. no matter what party they are, if they are crooked....

kick their asses to the curb... with a quickness! Get shed of the disease on our Party. DO NOT try to reward him or defend him. In other words, don't act like repukes... act like Democrats that mean what we say about open government and anti corruption. Do not pander and do not waver.. we have to stand firm with our beliefs and convictions to make an impact on the voting public.

I also read that they found the money in his freezer 2 days after they recorded him telling the undercover agent that "the package has been delivered" ... meaning that he had already given the money to the intended bribe recipient.

Oh, and Agent Mike, this is for you ~~~~>

[xchrom]

13. when it comes to corruption -- let the chips fall where they may.

he has to pay for his arrogance -- so be it.

never be disappointed that someone like that is busted -- regardless of party.

simply enjoy your enemies demise more.

[Skidmore]

14. Clean house. He needs to resign immediately.

[jody]

15. If he can't do the time, he shouldn't do the crime. n/t

[kestrel91316]

16. Hang him high, I say. I don't care WHAT party he belongs to. He's

NOT FIT to serve.

[originalpckelly]

17. I am proud of our party because unlike the pukes...

we don't make stupid excuses for things that are obviously wrong. Some people see the actions of Rep. Jefferson as a mark upon the Democratic party, but the mark washes away quickly with the integrity the majority of our party shows.

Let's just hope that justice is served and if Mr. Jefferson can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then he deserves his jail time and/or fine.

[Ian David]

18. William Jefferson is being persecuted because he's Christian!

If you condemn William Jefferson, then you hate Jesus!



Hey, it works for the Repukes, right?

[Blue_Tires]

21. actually i prefer

"If you condemn William Jefferson, you're giving aid and comfort to the terrorists!"

[rucky]

19. He may the the first corrupt Democrat - ever!

:sarcasm:

[peekaloo]

22. He has brought shame to all his virtuous predecessors in La.

double :sarcasm:

:rofl: