13-Nov-2009   http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/35895.html 

Former Democratic Rep. William Jefferson has been found guilty of bribery, money laundering and racketeering.

William Jefferson, 62, a former Democratic representative who was found guilty of bribery, money laundering and racketeering charges, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his crimes, on Friday. Reuters.com is reporting that prosecutors involved in the case recommended that Jefferson serve a 27-year sentence while defense attorneys cited their client’s career in public service as a cause for lenience. 

Defense attorneys requested that their client receive less than 10 years in prison but it was ultimately decided that the former lawmaker would be forced to serve 13 years in prison, which is to be followed immediately by 3 years of probation. 

While serving as a U.S. representative, Jefferson engaged in illegal business ventures with Africa and bribed companies that were involved in communications, oil and sugar for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors claimed that Jefferson’s intentions were to continue engaging in illegal bribery, racketeering and money laundering activities until he obtained millions of dollars. 

According to The New York Times, Jefferson’s Congressional office became the first to ever be searched by the F.B.I. in May of 2006. The most well-known incident involving Jefferson that relates to the charges is when his home was searched in 2005 and federal agents discovered $90,000 wrapped up in aluminum foil in the ex-lawmaker’s freezer. 

Prosecuting attorney Neil McBride commented on the sentencing by saying, “Mr. Jefferson is well-known for the $90,000 found in his freezer. It is our hope that he will now be well-known for the tough sentence handed down today, showing that no one, including our elected officials, are above the law.”