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Sunday, November 8, 2009
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Supreme Court turns down Jefferson appeal
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down an appeal by former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson to throw out public corruption charges that he claimed violated constitutional protection.
The New Orleans Democrat was seeking to wipe out 14 of the 16 charges levied against him. Testimony to the grand jury that indicted him by former staffers trampled on the speech or debate clause that protects federal lawmakers from legislative interference by the executive branch, Jefferson said.
The Supreme Court decision now clears the way for Jefferson’s trial to begin on June 2. The court decision was not surprising to legal scholars following the case. The court agrees to hear from 70 to 100 cases per year out of about 10,000 requests, equaling less than one percent.
“It’s always a long shot,” said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias. “I guess the case now goes to trial.”
Jefferson’s lead attorney, Robert Trout, declined to comment on the Supreme Court decision.
Jefferson, who recently lost his bid for a 10th two-year term, has pleaded innocent to racketeering, money laundering, bribery and conspiracy. Jefferson is accused of demanding payments for himself or family members from companies in return for pushing their business projects in Africa.
Trout has argued that Jefferson, an attorney, was acting as a private business man and did not provide official acts as a congressman.
The Jefferson trial has been four years in the making. FBI agents raided his Washington and New Orleans homes in August 2005. Agents said they found $90,000 of money they gave to an informant in the freezer of Jefferson’s Washington home.
Tobias is unconvinced that Jefferson may not make a plea agreement before the trial now that his appeals are exhausted. Two former Jefferson associates who had pleaded guilty, including a former staff member, have been sentenced to up to eight years in prison.
The Jefferson trial is expected to take four to six weeks.
“It certainly costs a lot to try the case,” Tobias said. “That has to factor into consideration.”
The case is being heard by U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va.
“I guess Judge Ellis will be getting his jury together,” Tobias said.
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