Jefferson Convicted In Bribery Scheme Ex-Congressman Guilty of 11 Counts

08/05/2009 • WSJ

Former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson was convicted Wednesday for bribery schemes aimed at enriching him and his family. Former Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson and his wife, Andrea, leave federal court in Alexandria, Va., on Aug. 5. A federal jury in Alexandria, Va., convicted him on 11 of 16 counts. Prosecutors had said Mr. Jefferson was driven by greed, using his political post to carry out business deals that financially benefitted his family. The most notorious scheme involved $100,000 cash that they said Mr. Jefferson intended to deliver to the vice president of Nigeria to grease a telecom deal that would have been lucrative for him as well as family members. Most of that cash was found wrapped in foil and tucked inside veggie burger containers in his freezer after an FBI sting.