Dollar Bill Jefferson To Get Indicted: CBS (Update: No They Didn't)
Federal authorities will indict Rep. William Jefferson on several counts of corruption today, CBS News reports. The move comes long after a series of raids triggered a Constitutional showdown between Congress and the Department of Justice:
Sources tell CBS News that authorities are seeking an indictment against Congressman William Jefferson, D-La., on more than a dozen counts involving public corruption.Jefferson has been the subject of a ongoing probe in which FBI agents allegedly found more than $90,000 in cash in his freezer.
CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports that the Justice Department is expected to unveil the charges later today.
This was the latest development in the 16-month international investigation of Jefferson, who allegedly accepted $100,000 from a telecommunications businessman, $90,000 of which was later recovered from a freezer in the congressman's Louisiana home.
The indictment puts Nancy Pelosi in a tough spot. She removed Jefferson from the Ways and Means committee after the discovery of the freezer cash. The backlash from the Congressional Black Caucus forced her to give Jefferson a seat on the Homeland Security committee instead, giving critics of Pelosi's supposed fight against the "culture of corruption" plenty of ammunition.
However, the damage last year from the revelations of Jefferson's corruption got mitigated by the inane attempt by then-Speaker Denny Hastert, a Republican, to defend Jefferson from the raid on his office. Hastert's unfathomable fight to render duly-issued search warrants null and void on Capitol Hill made the entire scandal look like a Republican attempt at corruption, and inadvertently gave credence to the Democrats' election-year attacks. It also delayed Jefferson's indictments, thanks to the protracted legal battle Hastert initiated in attempting to make Capitol Hill a refuge for corrupt lawmakers.
Now that the indictments will be filed, it will be interesting to see how the Democrats, and especially the CBC, will react. Will they attempt to distance themselves from Jefferson? Will they force him to step down from his committee assignments? My guess is -- no.
UPDATE: Here's the Washington Post report on the story. Notice what they leave out? See update 2 -- the Post is correct.
In July, the House officially expelled Jefferson from the prestigious Ways and Means Committee.At the time, then House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the allegations against Jefferson were too egregious to wait for a legal resolution.
"This isn't about proof in the court or law; this is about an ethical standard," she said.
Jerry Markon and Allan Lengel never bother to mention that Pelosi later assigned him to the high-profile Homeland Security committee, and that he sits there still. (via Memeorandum)
UPDATE II: Actually, I'm wrong on this -- the Democrats left the seat open. He does still sit on the Small Business Committee.
UPDATE III: Lorie at Wizbang declares me more right than wrong:
Ed has updated his post (which I linked earlier) to say the Washington Post was not wrong, linking a list of current members. I guess Ed was referring to the "he sits there still" line in his post. The Democrats did, however, vote to give Jefferson the seat, at least that is what CNN reported in February ...In response to that action, Republicans objected and the appointment was put on hold. I really think the Washington Post should have included all of that in their story. If you read the Post story linked, it absolutely gives the wrong impression.
Lorie's a sweetheart, and this does show that the report made the Democrats look more circumspect than they were, but I did get it factually incorrect.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on June 4, 2007 12:12 PM | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (7)
Comments (23)
Posted by Mwalimu Daudi | June 4, 2007 12:36 PM
Captain Ed said: Now that the indictments will be filed, it will be interesting to see how the Democrats, and especially the CBC, will react. Will they attempt to distance themselves from Jefferson? Will they force him to step down from his committee assignments? My guess is -- no.
I agree. The MSM and their Democrat pets will downplay this story (if they give it any play at all), and then it will be back to the usual we-will-all-die-from-global-warming-or-we-are-losing-in-Iraq meme.
Posted by Okonkolo | June 4, 2007 1:02 PM
My guess is this will give Pelosi the excuse she needs to bump him. I think she was pushed into reassigning him (CBC?) because he was a reelected and unindicted congressman. Now that second part is not good anymore, and I bet she'll move sooner rather than later. The whole country knows this guy's crooked and the story is almost two years old, so I'm not sure of the fallout. Sort of assures he won't run again. And yeah, Hastert sure looked like a fool back then.
Posted by Mike M. | June 4, 2007 1:55 PM
The odds of Pelosi and the Democrats booting this guy from the caucus are about the same as the odds of him ever actually being convicted by a Washington D.C. jury: slim and none, and slim is on vacation.
Posted by Kent | June 4, 2007 1:56 PM
I find the evidence of Jefferson's guilt compelling and anticipate a conviction.
However, it's worth reminding ourselves of the old saying that any decent federal prosecutor should be able to get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. It certainly seemed that way to me in the Delay case.
Posted by Joe | June 4, 2007 2:23 PM
A great day for justice. I have to say, as a liberal, I am totally disgusted by this guy, and ashamed to have him associated with my 'side'. Take him away! On other, similiar matters, did anyone else catch the report on NPR this morning that the Dems are arrangeing things so that they can put in earmarks at the last minute without any debate? I haven't seen this reported on anywhere else (particularly in left-wing blogs!) - but I would really like this looked into, if true. Anyway, good luck to us all, and _hopefully_ a little coruption was reduced today. As to your question on forcing him to step down - you are serious, right? Did you really expect that???? This is government! That said, PLEAAASSSEEEE keep up the pressure on the Dems! We'll keep the pressure on the Republicans, and maybe together we can reduce SOME of the corruption.
Posted by Joe | June 4, 2007 2:25 PM
A great day for justice. I have to say, as a liberal, I am totally disgusted by this guy, and ashamed to have him associated with my 'side'. Take him away! On other, similiar matters, did anyone else catch the report on NPR this morning that the Dems are arrangeing things so that they can put in earmarks at the last minute without any debate? I haven't seen this reported on anywhere else (particularly in left-wing blogs!) - but I would really like this looked into, if true. Anyway, good luck to us all, and _hopefully_ a little coruption was reduced today. As to your question on forcing him to step down - you are serious, right? Did you really expect that???? This is government! That said, PLEAAASSSEEEE keep up the pressure on the Dems! We'll keep the pressure on the Republicans, and maybe together we can reduce SOME of the corruption.
Posted by Del Dolemonte | June 4, 2007 3:15 PM
Mike M said:
"The odds of Pelosi and the Democrats booting this guy from the caucus are about the same as the odds of him ever actually being convicted by a Washington D.C. jury: slim and none, and slim is on vacation."
Normally I would agree with you on the chances of a DC jury convicting him, but a DC Grand Jury DID indict him on 16 separate counts, which is a little bit larger than the usual ham sandwich. He could face a grand total of 235 years in the pokey, too.
My guess is that he'll get nailed on at least ONE of the counts.
It should also be great fun to see how the DNC parrots in the mainstream media spin this. My guess is that Punch Sulzberger will bury it on NY Times Page 30, just like he did with the JFK Airport terror plot story.
Posted by D-Hoggs | June 4, 2007 3:42 PM
Why do you state that he sits on the Homeland Security committee, yet when you follow your own link to your own previous post, you state that he was never assigned to that post?
Posted by markg8 | June 4, 2007 3:48 PM
From his bio:
"Jefferson is an active and senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and its subcommittee on Trade. He is also a member of the House Committee on the Budget."
You’ll notice it doesn’t say he’s chairman of the Ways and Means Committee or the House Committee on the Budget. You know why that is? Because last year when the FBI raided hs office Pelosi stripped him of his leadership positions. The Democratic party did their best to oust him in the primary and general elections in Louisiana but the people of New Orleans don’t much trust outsiders telling them who to elect I guess.
Contrast that with Denny Hastert’s shrieking over the raid on Jefferson’s office and his years’ long cover up of Mark Foley’s scandals. And how about Boehner appointing Ken Calvert to the Appropriations’ Committee when John Doolittle had to step down pending his indictment? Turns out the FBI is delving into Calvert’s records too. Jerry Lewis, House Appropriations ranking member is not long for congress either.
If you’re keeping score at home here's some info for you:
Congress.Org Jefferson's Power Rank Standings
Power Ranking: 439 Power Score: -2.50
Rank in Chamber: 439 Rank in State: 7
Rank in Party: 237 Rank in Class of 1990: 19
Past Power Rankings
2005 Rankings: 412 2006 Rankings: 436
Man he's last in the party and the entire chamber! This guy not only has less pull than any Democrat or Republican but with a -2.50 power rating he could probably cause your bill to burst into flames by glancing approvingly at it! .
Compare that to 4th ranking Repub Jerry Lewis
Power Rank Standings
Power Ranking: 118 Power Score: 19.53
Rank in Chamber: 118 Rank in State: 19
Rank in Party: 4 Rank in Class of 1978: 1
Lewis is probably going to retire next year unless of course he's indicted first in the Duke Cunningham scandal. Like the disgraced traitor Duke - and that's what people who bilk the national security apparatus of the US ought to be considered - Lewis is going to find out that resigning doesn't make much difference to honest feds (but who knows how many of those are left in Gonzalez's DOJ?) when it comes to felony charges.
And yet there sits Lewis as ranking minority member on the Appropriations Committee. 4th most powerful Repub and 118th most powerful member in the House. Why doesn't Boehner force him to step down? LOL, have you seen the Republican House caucus? Replacing Jesse James with Billy the Kid isn't going to curb crime in
Dodge City.
Posted by Captain Ed | June 4, 2007 3:54 PM
D-Hoggs -- you're right, and I'm wrong. I've updated the post accordingly.
Posted by D-Hoggs | June 4, 2007 4:10 PM
Cool, thanks Ed, just trying to avoid giving the moonbats any more for them to bitch and moan about. But they will still continue to overlook the fact that Pelosi did indeed appoint him, and the democratic caucus approved the appointment, it wasn't until Republican objections that she put the appointment "on hold".
Posted by Lightwave | June 4, 2007 4:40 PM
This being "the most ethical Congress" we should of course expect ol Dollar Bill there to resign effective immediately, yes?
Will Countdown with Olbermouth will lead off with this "Latest corruption from Washington?"
Will the nutroots be screaming for him to be dragged in front of impeachment proceedings?
I bet the answer to all three is "no."
Posted by markg8 | June 4, 2007 4:57 PM
Sadly the DoJ has been so illegally politicized under Bush who knows what to believe? Remember those charges against Sen. Bob Menendez in NJ last September? Brought by US Attorney and Bush pioneer ($100,000 fundraiser) Chris Christie? What ever happened to those charges? I guess when Kean
lost in November there was no point in wasting anymore time and resources on the bogus case.
Posted by Del Dolemonte | June 4, 2007 5:10 PM
markg8 said:
"Remember those charges against Sen. Bob Menendez in NJ last September? Brought by US Attorney and Bush pioneer ($100,000 fundraiser) Chris Christie? What ever happened to those charges? I guess when Kean
lost in November there was no point in wasting anymore time and resources on the bogus case. "
LOL! According to this story, the investigation in fact was intensified a week after Menendez won the election:
http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDE4MjA1JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==
Posted by Rovin | June 4, 2007 5:47 PM
Can some one say "The Pelosi Shuffle" has/will regained some popularity?
It should be the CBC demanding his resignation to maintain any credibility.
Posted by Lightwave | June 4, 2007 6:07 PM
Rep. Boehner is pushing for a vote of expulsion for Dollar Bill.
Make note of any efforts to block this legislation, and especially any Democrats who vote against it.
But that would never happen, because this is "the most ethical Congress" right Nancy?
Surely Dollar Bill will resign immediately over this...of course the odds of that happening match Nancy's approval ratings: somewhere just north of zero.
Posted by barnestormer | June 4, 2007 6:26 PM
The reports I've seen say the indictment was handed up by an Alexandria, VA panel, NOT a D.C. grand jury (in contrast, e.g., to the proceedings against Libby). The gentleman from LA may not find those peers quite as hospitable as the ones in DC.
Posted by markg8 | June 4, 2007 8:04 PM
Well Del Dolemonte where are the charges? It's been 9 months since the investigation was announced by US Attorney Christie to great fanfare (just two months before the election) and 7 months since the investigation "intensified" and now nothing.
The facts are Menendez used to own a 3 story house/office he rented to that non proift group for $3000 a month. Wow! Why the kickback if true could have amounted to wha,. a couple thousand dollars? The scam is so obvious no wonder the voters of NJ saw right through it.
OTH USA Christie and wife gave $144,000 in donations to the New Jersey State Republican committee from 2001-2004. Since the summer of 2001, Todd Christie (Chris Christie's brother) and his wife donated more than $400,000 to various GOP coffers as of the summer of 2004. In comparison, the couple had donated less than $12,000 in the time before Chris began lobbying for the U.S. attorney's job.
It looks like Chris Christie and his family were able to buy him the USA post. Christie had never tried a criminal case before becoming New Jersey's U.S. Attorney.
Since being appointed in 2002 he's been on a tear in notably corrupt NJ. He's indicted 33 Dems and but only 5 Repubs.
But even that wasn't good enough as he made it onto the firing list at DOJ. There's a reason why he
got he off that list. Be my guess the Menedez investigation saved his job. It fits right in with everything else we know about the Bush WH and his DOJ
Posted by Drew Sweatte | June 4, 2007 8:42 PM
The Democrats have failed miserably. They have yet to have one part of their "first 100 hours" agenda signed into law. Right now I see a party whose members are full of hot air and who are making hollow promises to the American taxpayers.
Thankfully we have people like Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5) and others who have never lost their vision for the party or for America's future. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and her fellow Republicans are working hard on the issues which will have the most impact on our small businesses, farmers, working families, homeowners, and taxpayers across our entire country. REAL lawmakers like her do not care who gets the credit, they just want to do the job that we expect of them and to do it right!
Instead of pretending that the liberation in Iraq is the only issue before the American people, our members are working hard on fully funding the men and women who selflessly serve in our military, alternative energy, making tax relief permanent, ensuring that we have a competitive 21st century workforce, and access to affordable health care. The Republicans in Congress also look for long term and cost effective solutions that target the real challenges that we are facing. Their solutions do not call for higher taxes and they seek to limit the size and scope of government.
Nancy Pelosi, Hilary Clinton, Harry Reid, and the other ultra liberal Democrats believe that government is the solution. We Republicans know that it is the problem and that the best way to prosper is through free markets and getting the government out of the way of the private sector!
Posted by richard mcenroe | June 4, 2007 9:38 PM
"and that's what people who bilk the national security apparatus of the US ought to be considered - "
markg8, Hmm. So what do you call Harry Reid for getting his daughter that contract for useless camera systems Homeland Security didn't even want?
Posted by markg8 | June 4, 2007 10:27 PM
Richard mcenroe have you got a link with facts to that? Ya know, from somebody reputable who actually checks their facts about little issues like what committees reps actually sit on?
I just came from Don Surber's site where he said with great authority Obey chaired Ways and Means til 1994 and reclaimed the chairmanship in 2007 so Jefferson wasn't in a position to get the chair. Not that I ever said he was. Sadly for Surber Rangel is chairman of Ways and Means, Obey isn't even on the committee and despite Jefferson's claim apparently neither is he anymore. Hence the -2.50 power rating. I guess he's almost as unpopular as Bush these days. Maybe he ought to update his bio on his website but I imagine he's kind of busy. LOL.
Posted by Keemo | June 5, 2007 6:26 AM
Anybody that would defend Jefferson at this point warrants zero attention; head stuck in the sand...
Nice post Joe...
I don't care if it's a (R) or a (D) behind the name of the criminal; our laws must be enforced on all (including the elites) if our laws are to have any meaning. Jefferson and Berger are two elites that have been "above the law" to this date...
Posted by markg8 | June 5, 2007 2:27 PM
Keemo then I suppose you support KUcinich;s effort to impeach Cheney too right?