Dem Congressman videoed accepting

[DKW 86 7,421]

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

Filing: Tape Shows Lawmaker Taking Money

May 21 4:35 PM US/Eastern   

By MATTHEW BARAKAT

Associated Press Writer

ALEXANDRIA, Va.

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.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

The whole damn lot is corrupt. It time to clean house.

[TexasTiger 12,858]

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

Filing: Tape Shows Lawmaker Taking Money

May 21 4:35 PM US/Eastern   

By MATTHEW BARAKAT

Associated Press Writer

ALEXANDRIA, Va.

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.

236221[/snapback]

Lock him up!

[Jenny AU-92 0]

Thank goodness someone finally caught that SOB. He used NATIONAL GUARD to evacuate personal documents from his home in NO after Katrina. Gee, wonder why he did that...

Link to ABC News

Sept. 13, 2005 — Amid the chaos and confusion that engulfed New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck, a congressman used National Guard troops to check on his property and rescue his personal belongings — even while New Orleans residents were trying to get rescued from rooftops, ABC News has learned.

On Sept. 2 — five days after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast — Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who represents New Orleans and is a senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, was allowed through the military blockades set up around the city to reach the Superdome, where thousands of evacuees had been taken.

Military sources tells ABC News that Jefferson, an eight-term Democratic congressman, asked the National Guard that night to take him on a tour of the flooded portions of his congressional district. A five-ton military truck and a half dozen military police were dispatched.

Lt. Col. Pete Schneider of the Louisiana National Guard tells ABC News that during the tour, Jefferson asked that the truck take him to his home on Marengo Street, in the affluent uptown neighborhood in his congressional district. According to Schneider, this was not part of Jefferson's initial request.

Jefferson defended the expedition, saying he set out to see how residents were coping at the Superdome and in his neighborhood. He also insisted that he did not ask the National Guard to transport him.

"I did not seek the use of military assets to help me get around my city," Jefferson told ABC News. "There was shooting going on. There was sniping going on. They thought I should be escorted by some military guards, both to the convention center, the Superdome and uptown."

The water reached to the third step of Jefferson's house, a military source familiar with the incident told ABC News, and the vehicle pulled up onto Jefferson's front lawn so he wouldn't have to walk in the water. Jefferson went into the house alone, the source says, while the soldiers waited on the porch for about an hour.

Finally, according to the source, Jefferson emerged with a laptop computer, three suitcases, and a box about the size of a small refrigerator, which the enlisted men loaded up into the truck.

"I don't think there is any explanation for an elected official using resources for their own personal use, when those resources should be doing search and rescue, or they should be helping with law enforcement in the city," said Jerry Hauer, a homeland security expert and ABC News consultant.

Jefferson said the trip was entirely appropriate. It took only a few minutes to retrieve his belongings, he said, and the truck stayed at his house for an hour in part to assist neighbors.

"This wasn't about me going to my house. It was about me going to my district," he said.

[snip]

Jefferson insisted the expedition did not distract from rescue efforts.

"They actually picked up a lot of people while we were there," he said. "The young soldier said, 'It's a good thing we came up here because a lot of people would not have been rescued had we not been in the neighborhood.'"

[snip]

Last week, Jefferson set up a special trust fund for contributions to his legal defense in light of the FBI investigation. A senior federal law enforcement source tells ABC News that investigators are interested in learning if Jefferson moved any materials relevant to the investigation. Jefferson says he did not.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

While we are building the security fence along our southern border, we should also go ahead and build a wall around New Orleans. That place is nothing more than a third world country within our border.

[Ranger12 46]

I remember this moron being interviewed several times after Katrina hit and he was very negative about the federal government and the response of the aftermath and now he is caught showing that he really does not care about the people in his state. Doesn't matter if Nagin can get re-elected, this guy probably is safe also if he don't get thrown in jail.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

...and now he is caught showing that he really does not care about the people in his state. Doesn't matter if Nagin can get re-elected, this guy probably is safe also if he don't get thrown in jail.

236267[/snapback]

The voters of New Orleans are morons. You are right, this crook (and all the others down there that are just like him) is safe if it is left up to the people of New Orleansistan. They will vote him right back in to office regardless of what happens to him. They deserve what they get, and this is why I will never spend another dime in that festering hellhole. They have made their bed, now they can lay in it.

FEMA should have done the rest of the country a favor and sent in a brigade of SeaBees with bulldozers and filled in that swamp.

[DKW 86 7,421]

Got a $100 says this crook will be re-elected by the folks in Nawlins, no problem.

[Shug2003 1]

Gee, what a refreshing development to have a Dimocrat arrested instead of a Republican........since there are several out there right now skating on the skin of their teeth......i.e. Rove, leaks and coverup, Delay, corruption, B ill Frist, under investigation for Criminal and SEC violations, Rep. Duke Cunningham, corruption, Mike Brown, Cronyism, FEMA, Stonewalling- Cheny Engery Commision Participants, and others including associaton with Haliburton. Don't throw rocks in a glass house although I totally agree if this turkey is guilty as I believe he is, then he should be locked up! However, The Bush administration is one of the most corrupt I can remember! He OBVIOUSLY values loyalty over competence and that hurts everyone! Perhaps his "skulls" membership is coming into play!

[rexbo 104]

Lock him up!

236225[/snapback]

No, this is the United States and we all have Constitutional rights, even Members of Congress; he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...

[bigsixfive 327]

Got a $100 says this crook will be re-elected by the folks in Nawlins, no problem.

236540[/snapback]

I'll put up some money too. Similar situation occurred in Memphis.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

Got a $100 says this crook will be re-elected by the folks in Nawlins, no problem.

236540[/snapback]

It won't even be close......he'll win in a landslide!

[MDM4AU 332]

Gee, what a refreshing development to have a Dimocrat arrested instead of a Republican........since there are several out there right now skating on the skin of their teeth......i.e. Rove, leaks and coverup,  Delay, corruption, B ill Frist, under investigation for Criminal and SEC violations,  Rep. Duke Cunningham, corruption, Mike Brown, Cronyism, FEMA, Stonewalling- Cheny Engery Commision Participants, and others including associaton with Haliburton. Don't throw rocks in a glass house although I totally agree if this turkey is guilty as I believe he is, then he should be locked up! However, The Bush administration is one of the most corrupt I can remember! He OBVIOUSLY values loyalty over competence and that hurts everyone! Perhaps his "skulls" membership is coming into play!

236545[/snapback]

Gee, an article about a corrupt politician and this guy is afraid the Repubs on the board are gonna get one up on him so he reminds us of all the dirty repubs.

This is the stuff I have grown so incredibly tired of on this board. A Dem/Lefty posts an article on a Republican Crook and the right reminds us all of the last of the Left's indiscretions. DKW posts article on this punk and Yellow Dog Shug joins in the game to defend the The Jack-ass Party. What does the Bush Admin.'s suspects have to do with this crook other than they all inhabit a part of the country that is every bit as bad if not worse than NO? You act as though there aren't a number of criminals at any given time on both sides of the aisle. They're politicians for goodness sake. Since when did it mean so much to keep score of who has the worst crooks in their party at the moment? And this goes for everyone here.

Before the last Presidential election I was just as bad but I have really taken a different viewpoint since. Though I lean Right, I try more and more to look at things as Right and Wrong and not Left and Right. I think this country would be so much better off if we did a better job of this. We wouldn't need term limits because "We the People" would keep everyone in check regardless of party. Think about how much more would get done in Congress if we stopped the blind loyalty to a certain party as though it was all about the competition rather than the good of the country.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

Gee, an article about a corrupt politician and this guy is afraid the Repubs on the board are gonna get one up on him so he reminds us of all the dirty repubs.

This is the stuff I have grown so incredibly tired of on this board.  A Dem/Lefty posts an article on a Republican Crook and the right reminds us all of the last of the Left's indiscretions.  DKW posts article on this punk and Yellow Dog Shug joins in the game to defend the The Jack-ass Party.  What does the Bush Admin.'s suspects have to do with this crook other than they all inhabit a part of the country that is every bit as bad if not worse than NO? You act as though there aren't a number of criminals at any given time on both sides of the aisle.  They're politicians for goodness sake.  Since when did it mean so much to keep score of who has the worst crooks in their party at the moment?  And this goes for everyone here.

Before the last Presidential election I was just as bad but I have really taken a different viewpoint since.  Though I lean Right, I try more and more to look at things as Right and Wrong and not Left and Right.  I think this country would be so much better off if we did a better job of this.  We wouldn't need term limits because "We the People" would keep everyone in check regardless of party.  Think about how much more would get done in Congress if we stopped the blind loyalty to a certain party as though it was all about the competition rather than the good of the country.

236650[/snapback]

Well said!

[Tigermike 3,027]

This does not mean his political career is over. Conviction didn't slow livelong Democrat Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. He is still serving., therefore Jefferson should look at this as free political advertising. Barry was taped as well wasn't he?

Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. (born March 6, 1936) served as Democratic mayor of Washington, D.C. from 1979 to 1991. He was forced to leave office during his third term as a result of his arrest and conviction on drug charges, but afterward again elected to the D.C. council and ultimately to the mayoralty, serving a fourth term from 1995 to 1999. Today, Barry serves on the Council of the District of Columbia, representing Ward Eight, which comprises Anacostia and Congress Heights. He is also serving three years probation for misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal and local taxes, and continues to receive drug counseling after testing positive for cocaine and marijuana in October 2005.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Barry

[DKW 86 7,421]

I think THE motto for the 2006 Elections will be"They are all the same."

[WinCrimson 61]

The whole damn lot is corrupt. It time to clean house.

236222[/snapback]

I couldn't agree more.

[SouthLink02 8]

Got a $100 says this crook will be re-elected by the folks in Nawlins, no problem.

236540[/snapback]

Deal

Wow, some of you all really have not a clue what his support is down here, do you?

[AUJarhead 70]

Slink, when is Broussard's term up? I know it is JP, so you might not know. Just wondering.

From what I hear, you or I have a better chance of winning Parish President over him.

[SouthLink02 8]

Slink, when is Broussard's term up?  I know it is JP, so you might not know.  Just wondering.

From what I hear, you or I have a better chance of winning Parish President over him.

236906[/snapback]

That moron's term is up in 2008, I think

Still can't believe that before Katrina hit, he let the men go at the Station Pumps thus nobody was there to control them.

[AUJarhead 70]

Slink, when is Broussard's term up?  I know it is JP, so you might not know.  Just wondering.

From what I hear, you or I have a better chance of winning Parish President over him.

236906[/snapback]

That moron's term is up in 2008, I think

Still can't believe that before Katrina hit, he let the men go at the Station Pumps thus nobody was there to control them.

236907[/snapback]

Yep. When I went back for Mardi Gras, some of my old high school buddies, who had their home flood in Kenner/Metairie, were saying some not very flattering things about him.

[SouthLink02 8]

The water was 2 ft deep in my house in Uptown (thankfully, my house is raised) and stopped right in front of my parents home in Old Metairie.

Thankfully, it stopped.

But, I think from Carrollton/Clairborne all the way to the French Quarter is near 100% of what it used to be

Don't let that get in the way of the National media painting the entire city of new orleans being without power and water and whatever else garbage they spew

[SouthLink02 8]

That place is nothing more than a third world country within our border.

236264[/snapback]

Agreed. I have heard so much about the third world country atmosphere in this city.

Just about every other week I see articles by MSNBC and other media outlets painting how terrible the city is in and how miserable it is.....I am convinced without doubt...because as we all know, the media is always correct.

I am hoping to get off work early one day and trying to find it. It is talked about a lot by people strictly outside of New Orleans (weird, isn't that?) so it is bound to be incredible.

I dunno though...I am hoping I find it...I live uptown, visit the French Quarter daily, have family in Metairie/Kenner, ext...and work on the Westbank. I have only seen 95% of the city.

The 9th Ward is gone...good riddens....nobody is sad to see it go. Lakeview missing is clearly a tragedy as that was a great place. But, nonetheless, that is what is gone while most of the city returns.

Then again, that would get in the way of the "Sky is falling" type comments, articles, ext...that so many obviously want to hear

[CCTAU 3,325]

Had this guy been white and republican, he would be on a media cross right now.

[Jenny AU-92 0]

That place is nothing more than a third world country within our border.

236264[/snapback]

Agreed. I have heard so much about the third world country atmosphere in this city.

Just about every other week I see articles by MSNBC and other media outlets painting how terrible the city is in and how miserable it is.....I am convinced without doubt...because as we all know, the media is always correct.

I am hoping to get off work early one day and trying to find it. It is talked about a lot by people strictly outside of New Orleans (weird, isn't that?) so it is bound to be incredible.

I dunno though...I am hoping I find it...I live uptown, visit the French Quarter daily, have family in Metairie/Kenner, ext...and work on the Westbank. I have only seen 95% of the city.

The 9th Ward is gone...good riddens....nobody is sad to see it go. Lakeview missing is clearly a tragedy as that was a great place. But, nonetheless, that is what is gone while most of the city returns.

Then again, that would get in the way of the "Sky is falling" type comments, articles, ext...that so many obviously want to hear

236930[/snapback]

I'm with Slinky. I was in New Orleans for several days before and after Easter, and while there are still FEMA trailers everywhere, and lots of construction debris, we went out to dinner twice, had a crawfish boil at a friend's house, and went to several stores looking for a swing for my M-I-L's backyard. Everything in that respect was perfectly normal. We went to Barnes and Noble - newly reopened and fully stocked, right down to the coffee bar.

Granted, the devastation in the areas on the wrong side of the 17th Street Canal was unlike anything I have ever seen. There are no words to describe and pictures do not come anywhere close to reality. You have to see it to believe it. But even among all the destruction, there were signs of life. New construction, people worshiping for Easter Sunday on the lawn of their destroyed church, and even some repaired houses with new sod and flowers in the beds, kid's toys in the yard, etc.

Honestly, parts of New Orleans were third world before Katrina, but it wasn't visible. Post Katrina, all the ugly underbelly was put out there for all the world to see, and now the media knows where to go looking for it. New Orleans, warts and all, is slowly recovering. Why just last week, a police officer on a routine traffic stop in Algiers (a town outside NO) was shot and killed by a convicted felon out on bail awaiting sentencing. See, back to normal...