Jury selection begins for Jefferson’s trial

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Jun 9, 2009 - Page: 1A

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WASHINGTON — After four years, jury selection in the trial of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, of New Orleans, is set to get under way today with many people awaiting the answer to one question:

What was he doing with $90,000 in his home freezer?

“He never really explained that,” retired Loyola University political scientist Ed Renwick said. “People are waiting for what he says. What would the late-night comedians do without it?”

Jefferson has said he’s got an “honorable explanation” for the money. The 18-year veteran of Congress pleaded innocent to 16 federal public corruption charges, including bribery, conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering.

Jefferson stands accused of using his office to push business projects in West Africa in return for payments to himself and family members.

Jefferson’s attorneys say the Harvard-educated lawyer was acting as a private businessman and never committed an “official act” such as voting on a project or introducing legislation.

Despite the sensationalism over the money, attorneys who have been watching the case do not view it as a slam dunk for the prosecution.

“What remains will be a fascinating trial with some tough legal questions, particularly the tenuous link between Jefferson’s official actions and alleged conspiracy,” said Jonathan Turley of the George Washington University law school. “The prosecutors are clearly hoping that the money in the freezer will overcome any doubts.”

Two Baton Rouge men could be prominent prosecution witnesses in the trial, which is expected to last four to six weeks.

George Knost, an officer with Arkel International of Baton Rouge, was granted immunity from prosecution, according to federal court documents. Arkel was the subject of two 2001 meetings between federal Export-Import Bank officials and Jefferson or one of his aides about a sugar plant in Nigeria.

Knost did not return four calls placed to his office over the last two weeks.

The other Baton Rouge connection is lobbyist Jim Creaghan. He became a cooperating witness from the outset of the case, giving the Justice Department scores of documents about business dealings involving Jefferson, according to prosecutors.

During one pre-trial hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Bellows said Creaghan — whose name was given to the FBI in its initial interview with Jefferson — “opened up the floodgates” to the wide range of bribery allegations. The prosecution claims Jefferson was involved in 11 schemes spanning the two continents.