Judge takes break in Jefferson trial
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WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, of Alexandria, Va., took a break Friday in the trial of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson of New Orleans.
Ellis said he had other matters that needed his attention. He said, however, that court would be held Fridays for the duration of the trial, which is expected to last through July.
This first week of testimony centered on Vernon Jackson, a Kentucky businessman who said he bribed Jefferson. Jackson will return to the stand on Monday when trial resumes. He is expected to be cross-examined by Jefferson’s attorneys.
Jefferson has pleaded innocent to 16 public corruption charges including bribery, conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering charges. Prosecutors allege that Jefferson used his office to push business projects in West Africa in return for money paid to family members.
Jefferson’s attorneys counter that he was acting as a private businessman and that he carried out no official acts for those companies, such as providing government money, voting for or introducing legislation on their behalf.
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