Federal agents have executed search warrants on basically everything attached to Rep. Bill Jefferson (D) LA. FBI Agents raided his home in New Orleans, his home in Washington, his office in New Orleans, his office in Washington and EVEN HIS CAR.
Agents were seen today removing boxes from his Uptown New Orleans home. By mid-afternoon, locksmiths showed up with crowbars and hammers to assist. The DOJ says confirms a criminal investigation is in progress but would say nothing else.
U.S. Attoney Jim Letten was uncharacteristically mum on the case. He was so silent he even had trouble telling the media he wasn't going to tell them anything.
Jefferson's brother in law Judge Allen Green was convicted a month ago on corruption charges. At least one agent from that case was at the Congressman's home today.
Congressman Jefferson released this statement:
"Today, federal law enforcement officers executed search warrants on my Washington, D.C., and New Orleans homes as well as my vehicle in Washington. Subpoenas were issued to me, in my official capacity, to the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and to members of my Washington and New Orleans office staff. I do not know the extent or precise nature of this investigation but I am cooperating fully with the authorities."
Agents also were at the offices of his financial advisor in New Orleans and were apparently looking at campaign finance records.
I have no idea what they are looking for but there is an obvious observation to be made...
A judge issued a search warrant for both of his houses, both offices, his financial advisors' office and even his car. A judge simply doesn't order that many search warrants of a sitting Congressman on a whim. Somebody WAY up the chain of command approved this one.
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Comments (14)
Why the car? In case his b... (Below threshold)1. Posted by joe | August 3, 2005 10:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Why the car? In case his briefcase was there?
1. Posted by joe | August 3, 2005 10:39 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 3, 2005 22:39
2. Posted by mesablue | August 4, 2005 12:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Must be just another "made up" story...
Too bad this might give the MSM something to report instead of the AAR scandal.
Or, do we get lucky enough to see two hits to the Dem's in one week?
2. Posted by mesablue | August 4, 2005 12:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 00:33
3. Posted by Cybrludite | August 4, 2005 12:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Folks are suprised at this? Not only if Jefferson crooked, but he's not clever or careful about it. Hell, I think they had him on videotape a while back accepting a huge bribe. Not that it'll make a difference with his district. If you've got a D after you name there, you're a shoe-in, even if they catch you in a hotel room with BOTH a dead girl & a live boy...
3. Posted by Cybrludite | August 4, 2005 12:37 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 00:37
4. Posted by Paul | August 4, 2005 12:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
> Hell, I think they had him on videotape a while back accepting a huge bribe.
That was Cleo Fields
4. Posted by Paul | August 4, 2005 12:43 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 00:43
5. Posted by Cybrludite | August 4, 2005 12:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My bad. Those two tend to run together in my mind.
5. Posted by Cybrludite | August 4, 2005 12:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 00:58
6. Posted by McGehee | August 4, 2005 9:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When it comes to corruption, Louisiana makes New Jersey look like it's run by Eliot Ness.
6. Posted by McGehee | August 4, 2005 9:21 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 09:21
7. Posted by McGehee | August 4, 2005 9:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
...and New Orleans in particular makes the rest of the state look squeaky clean.
7. Posted by McGehee | August 4, 2005 9:21 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 09:21
8. Posted by TheEnigma | August 4, 2005 11:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We all know it was a set up. A set up engineered by that dastardly Karl Rove.
One of these days, I'm expecting to see the democrats and the "elitist media" place the blame on Karl Rove for a hurricane and it's resulting damage.
Karl Rove Directs US Air Force to Steer Hurricane into N.E. US to Punish Democrats
8. Posted by TheEnigma | August 4, 2005 11:35 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 11:35
9. Posted by Will Franklin | August 4, 2005 11:36 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seriously, why is there next to no coverage of this out there?
9. Posted by Will Franklin | August 4, 2005 11:36 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 11:36
10. Posted by David | August 4, 2005 11:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
" A judge simply doesn't order that many search warrants of a sitting Congressman on a whim. Somebody WAY up the chain of command approved this one."
Why not? Are all federal judges ball-less wussies? Could there not be ONE federal judge with the stones to authroize such warrants if there were probable cause for such?
10. Posted by David | August 4, 2005 11:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 11:53
11. Posted by modspell | August 4, 2005 5:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Order your "FREE CONGRESSMAN JEFFERSON" T-shirt now!
11. Posted by modspell | August 4, 2005 5:48 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 17:48
12. Posted by Jewels | August 4, 2005 7:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Has anyone seen any updates on this story?
12. Posted by Jewels | August 4, 2005 7:53 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 19:53
13. Posted by Paul | August 4, 2005 10:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jewels I'll update tonight
13. Posted by Paul | August 4, 2005 10:00 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 4, 2005 22:00
14. Posted by GMonster | August 6, 2005 7:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
where can i get my t-shirt??? I need one!
14. Posted by GMonster | August 6, 2005 7:58 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 6, 2005 19:58