Former Congressman To Be Sentenced for Bribery

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday afternoon for the former Louisiana congressman who famously hid $90,000 cash in his freezer following an FBI briberysting.

By: Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: November 13, 2009

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The former Louisiana congressman who
famously hid $90,000 cash in his freezer following an FBI bribery
sting will soon learn his punishment.
Sentencing is scheduled this afternoon in a Virginia courtrooom
for William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New
Orleans.
Jefferson was convicted on charges including bribery and
racketeering. Prosecutors said he took in roughly half a million
dollars in bribes and sought millions more in exchange for using
his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
Prosecutors want the 62-year-old Jefferson to serve at least 27
years in prison, which would be the longest term ever imposed on a
congressman convicted of bribery.
The defense wants less than 10 years and hopes Jefferson can
remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction.