What will his defense be?
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) – Rep. William Jefferson pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of soliciting more than $500,000 in bribes while using his office to broker business deals in Africa.
Jefferson, D-La., said he understood the charges during the federal court hearing. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
“I am absolutely innocent of the charges that have been leveled against me,” Jefferson said afterward. “I’m going to fight my heart out to clear my name.”
But it’s so complex, you see, that Jefferson is waiving his right to a speedy trial. However, the prosecutor seems to think he’s got a pretty good case against Jefferson:
The charges came almost two years after investigators raided Jefferson’s home in Washington and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in a box in his freezer.
During Friday’s hearing, prosecutor Mark Lytle said the government had compiled evidence filling eight file cabinets and had extensive tape recordings.
He’s got to be desperate to drag this thing out for as long as he can.
