Forum: pol
Page 2668
Subject: William Jefferson

  Posted by: Perm Dude - [285998] Fri, Jun 09, 2006, 10:24
I've been waiting for this to play itself out, but it appears that William Jefferson is determined to go down fighting. I guess I shouldn't be surprised--he's not revealed himself to have any self-respect to be salvaged by quitting his seat or even giving up his leadership positions.

I've been following this on TPMmuckraker.com, who have been doing some excellent original reporting on the issue. And while the last article seems to indicate that the Dems are stymied by Jefferson's unwillingness to step aside and the CBC's unwavering support for this idiot, reading between the lines you can see a lot of background movement--Dems are itching up to the line to move against Jefferson, and soon.

There is a parallel issue of the FBI raiding his office, the the Constitutional questions that have arisen because of that. I'll link to something later, but my thought is that a Congressman does not enjoy the complete immunity from searches as he (and the scandal-ridden GOP leadership) would seem to imply.
 
1Perm Dude
      ID: 54521168
      Sat, Jun 17, 2006, 02:40 		Dems boot Jefferson from his committee assignment.

A good move. Removes a crook from a leadership position, and (unlike some Republican scandals we can name) they acted before the other shoe drops.
 
2sarge33rd
      ID: 157179
      Sat, Jun 17, 2006, 12:22 		and without trying to change the rules so as to allow the misconduct either. (in contrast to the "grand ole thieves", I mean party.)
 
3Perm Dude
      ID: 5622108
      Mon, Jul 10, 2006, 17:30 		Raid on Jefferson's office legal, judge rules

Money quote:

Jefferson's theory of legislative privilege "would have the effect of converting every congressional office into a taxpayer-subsidized sanctuary for crime"
 
4Perm Dude
      ID: 415849
      Mon, Jun 04, 2007, 15:11 		Indicted!

A freaking embarrassment. And about damn time.
 
5Perm Dude
      ID: 3775538
      Fri, Aug 03, 2007, 15:26 		Surpreme Court gives corrupt politicians a place to hide the evidence
 
6Perm Dude
      ID: 5111279
      Sun, Dec 07, 2008, 10:12 		Here's to a community organizing lawyer we can all get behind: Joseph Cao!
 
7Perm Dude
      ID: 154552311
      Wed, Aug 05, 2009, 18:43 		Apparently I'm the only one who cares. But Jefferson was convicted on 11 of 16 counts.
 
8DWetzel
      ID: 33337117
      Wed, Aug 05, 2009, 19:10 		I think this one fell under the headline of "when is he going to be convicted", not if, so I doubt there's much to be discussed.