Jefferson jury to deliberate for 4th day
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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Jurors in the bribery trial of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson spent their third day in deliberations Monday, the fourth anniversary of when FBI agents raided Jefferson’s homes.
FBI agents on Aug. 3, 2005, found $90,000 in the freezer of Jefferson’s Washington home. The money was part of $100,000 given days earlier to an FBI informant. The Virginia businesswoman gave the money to Jefferson to allegedly bribe the vice president of Nigeria.
Jurors assembled before the trial judge, U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, at the end of Monday’s session. Prior to the jury coming in, Ellis held a conference to the side of the bench with prosecutors and Jefferson’s attorneys.
After the huddle, Ellis said that the matter involved a note from a juror on a “non-substantive” issue in the case that had nothing to do with its merits.
The jury began deliberating midday Thursday over 16 counts of public corruption lodged against Jefferson. The 18-year veteran of Congress from New Orleans has pleaded innocent to bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and racketeering.
Prosecutors allege Jefferson used his congressional office and influence to promote American business projects in Africa in return for payments to himself and family members. Prosecutors claim Jefferson required the businesses to hire consulting firms operated by his wife, brother, son-in-law and daughters.
Jefferson contends he was operating as a private businessman in the deals. Jefferson’s attorneys say he is not guilty of bribery because he never traded “official acts” for the companies such as appropriating government money, introducing legislation and voting on it.
Deliberations resume today.
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