Accusations, scandal hurt Jeffersons’ image

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Jun 10, 2009 - Page: 1A

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WASHINGTON — The past three years have not been good for the family of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson.

Jury selection continues today in the trial of Jefferson, who has pleaded innocent to 16 public corruption charges. Prosecutors accuse the 62-year-old New Orleans Democrat of using his office to push projects in West Africa in return for payments to himself and family members.

Jefferson’s brother, sister and niece face charges in a second case including fraud, money laundering, racketeering and conspiracy. Another sister has pleaded guilty to concealing a crime and is cooperating with federal prosecutors against her siblings.

And Jefferson’s brother-in-law, a former judge, is already serving a four-year sentence for accepting bribes from a bail bond company. The charges and convictions have shattered a family movement that has dominated New Orleans Democratic politics for three decades.

“Unfortunately, so many people appear to be dismayed, really sad and demoralized about the charges surrounding family members,” said Silas Lee, a New Orleans political consultant.

“In today’s environment, people are already cynical about politics,” Lee added. “This just reinforces that.”

The epicenter of all of the cases is Jefferson’s older brother, Mose. If William Jefferson was the public face of the family, Mose controlled the levers of its political group, the Progressive Democrats. The Jefferson Democratic organization has commanded much of New Orleans politics since the 1970s.

“It was for years very effective, very potent,” said retired Loyola University political scientist Ed Renwick. “In their day, it was a valued endorsement.”

Mose Jefferson has been indicted on two separate federal cases.

In one case, he is accused of giving $140,000 in kickbacks to an Orleans Parish School Board president. The money was in exchange for a lucrative contract to a business that Mose Jefferson represented, prosecutors allege.

Mose Jefferson has denied the charges. His attorney, Michael Fawer, said that although Mose Jefferson knew the school board member, Ellenese Brooks-Simms, he did not give her money. Fawer noted that the school board overwhelmingly approved the program.

“He was a consultant to a company,” Fawer said. “The board basically wanted to put this program into effect.”

Mose Jefferson also faces charges that he and other family members stole $600,000 from charities they founded. He has denied those allegations.