Cold Cash, Hard Time
William “Cold Cash” Jefferson has been found guilty of 11 out of 16 counts against him.
In the 16-count indictment, Jefferson was charged with soliciting bribes and other crimes for a series of schemes in which he helped American businesses broker deals in West African in exchange for payments or financial considerations to companies controlled by members of his family, including his brother Mose, his wife, Andrea, their five daughters and a son-in-law.
Jefferson, 62, who represented the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District for nine terms, will now face sentencing by Judge T.S. Ellis III, who earlier meted out stiff sentences for lesser figures in the case. According to the U.S. attorney’s office, Jefferson faced 235 years in prison if convicted on all counts, and will still face substantial prison time.
Oddly enough, the count he was charged with dealing with the frozen block of money in his freezer was not one he was convicted on. Nonetheless, Jefferson will likely spend a lot of hard Federal time for his crimes. It has taken more than four years to get this guy, I’m glad it’s over.
By Anthony (Los Angeles), August 5, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
I’m glad he’s finally convicted, but it’s a disgrace that the House hasn’t yet expelled him (or have they?), and complaining about the FBI raid on his offices was embarrassing.
By Gaius, August 5, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
Actually, he lost his last election bid to a Republican, Cao.
But the Dems never kicked him to the curb until he did lose. Sad.
By TheBad, August 6, 2009 @ 6:27 am
I always felt politicians, cops, judges, and lawyers should always get the max penalty when they break the law. Instead it seems they get protected the most.