Jefferson out of jail until appeal heard

• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Nov 19, 2009 - UPDATED: 4:10 p.m.

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A federal judge on Wednesday afternoon ruled that former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson can stay out of jail pending the appeal of his conviction. Appeals generally take about a year to complete but could take longer.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of Alexandria, Va. said Jefferson’s challenge to his conviction is “substantial of question appeal that could result in a new trial or reversal.”

Jefferson will be kept under electronic monitoring and restricted from traveling outside the country.

Jefferson was sentenced on Friday to 13 years in federal prison after being convicted of bribery, conspiracy money laundering and racketeering. A federal trial jury found in August that Jefferson steered payments to himself and family members in return for pushing business projects in Africa.