[merloermfgj]

He is still hoping that the ACLU will get him some negotiating power because of the seach of his "office."

Even though the search was upheld, it is being appealed. He hopes that he can drag it out until something happens in his favor, or to end up settling for something like Murtha did when he was caught negotiating a future bribe with who he thought was the rep. of an Arab Sheik.

He is holding out for a massive rebuke and a slap on the wrist, with no criminal attachments.

Either way, PELOSI FOUGHT to have him tossed from the wasy and means committee because of his corruption...and NOW she wants to place him in a position to be responsible for state secrets that place people's lives and our country in his hands?

There is no excuse that can be made that justifies this.

None.

[Brewpralgar]

He is still hoping that the ACLU will get him some negotiating power because of the seach of his "office."

Even though the search was upheld, it is being appealed. He hopes that he can drag it out until something happens in his favor, or to end up settling for something like Murtha did when he was caught negotiating a future bribe with who he thought was the rep. of an Arab Sheik.

He is holding out for a massive rebuke and a slap on the wrist, with no criminal attachments.

Either way, PELOSI FOUGHT to have him tossed from the wasy and means committee because of his corruption...and NOW she wants to place him in a position to be responsible for state secrets that place people's lives and our country in his hands?

There is no excuse that can be made that justifies this.

None.

I suspect rank and file members of the Homeland security committee don't learn any "secrets" that an enterprising reporter couldn't get hold of an publish in the newspaper. As a member of ways and means he would be in a much better position to sell himself for another freezer full of cash.

[OQmYckYz]

What ever happened to "the seriousness of the charge"?

[Gintovtosik]

I would imagine that, if after the investigation is complete, he'll be removed from his position if he's found to be guilty...

While I do believe in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, common sense also needs to be exercised. They found $90,000 in his refrigerator at his house. It sure didn't get there by itself.

Common sense would dictate that this man should not be elevated to any special position within Congress, let alone even be in Congress, but the same people that reelected him are the same uneducated bottom feeding trash that reelected Ray Nagin to be their mayor so no surprises here.

[Gintovtosik]

Lack of evidence, perhaps?

$90,000 in his refrigerator isn't sufficient evidence? Come on now......

[JTS_tv]

So having cash is now a crime?

Interesting.

[SmuffNuSMaxqh]

What about Duke Cunningham, he resigned and left office...shame others don't have that decency.

No, he resigned and went to prison...

[Mappaindy]

So having cash is now a crime?

Interesting.

Jefferson now hopes to get the search of his residence thrown out as a warrantless search because of the "separation of powers", which gives members of congress a more lenience than the rest of US citizens enjoy.

My understanding is that there was a warrant for the search of Jefferson's residence granted by a judge. This warrant would stand up for citizens since the FBI had a video tape of Jefferson accepting a bribe of $100K. That's pretty good probable cause, and they found that cash (less $10K) in his freezer. The feds first searched his Hill office and his New Orleans residence. They didn't find the cash there, but they did find that cash in his DC residence.

One of Jefferson's aids already pled guilty. The feds are investigating seven other instances involving Jefferson and bribery.

The last I heard, Jefferson is claiming that the search was illegal because he has more leeway under separation of powers. This seems like an elitist attitude, regardless of party. He should have done the honorable thing and discontinued his election (I believe that he had the option of choosing his replacement, but that seems to differ by state) or stepped down. I would expect that of any publicly paid official who "sought things of value in return for his performance of official acts" should resign to save face and protect the integrity of the office (as much as it has, that is). CNN.com - Affidavit: $90,000 found in congressman's freezer - May 22, 2006

[cialesxtr]

So having cash is now a crime?

Interesting.

Two people have already pled guilty to having bribed the esteemed Representative.

Matt

[OQmYckYz]

So having cash is now a crime?

Interesting.

yes. It has been for a long time.

[JTS_tv]

Two people have already pled guilty to having bribed the esteemed Representative.

Matt

Doesn't look good for him, then. Admittedly, my knowledge of the case is lacking.

Maybe I'd make a good juror for him?

[Mappaindy]

Doesn't look good for him, then. Admittedly, my knowledge of the case is lacking.

Maybe I'd make a good juror for him?

You wouldn't be prejudiced, so you just might make a good juror

[corolaelwis]

No, he resigned and went to prison...

Yeah my point is he confessed and took his punishment, shame Jefferson couldn't do the same.

[corolaelwis]

I haven't seen the Justice department's disinclination to go after Democrats or blacks.

Name me one Dem in Congress they've indicted.


More afraid of Bush cronies, it seems to me. Huh?? Who's afraid of them, the DOJ of themselves? For what reason?

[SmuffNuSMaxqh]

Yeah my point is he confessed and took his punishment, shame Jefferson couldn't do the same.

Well, the situations are very different. When Cunningham resigned, the investigation was long over...

[JTS_tv]

Name me one Dem in Congress they've indicted.

That doesn't mean anything, though. If the Dems aren't the ones committing the crimes, they won't be the ones getting indicted.

[corolaelwis]

Yes, obviously hving near 100000$ in your freezer is just normal behavior...i suppose it goes well with his pork chops

[corolaelwis]

Well, the situations are very different. When Cunningham resigned, the investigation was long over...

Yeah and it seems to me the issue with Jefferson is very much an open ad shut case too. It seems simple enough....

[JTS_tv]

Yes, obviously hving near 100000$ in your freezer is just normal behavior...i suppose it goes well with his pork chops

But, it's not a crime. Lots of people do weird things.

If he's committed a crime, yes he should be charged and tried.

[Usogwdkb]

He just won an election, the people of his district sent him to represent them knowing full well about the money in his refrigerator, and he hasn't even been indicted.

Yep and the same morons voted for Cleo Fields even after it was proven (video, no less!) that he took cash from then-Gov. Edwards. Edwards is in jail but Fields went free because he wasn't an elected official at the time and Eddie Jordan wasn't inclined to go after a brother!