William Jefferson’s precarious future

January 12, 2006

Clearly, the “culture of corruption” charges against congressional Republicans have the GOP worried and the public keyed in on events on Capitol Hill. But to maintain integrity and consistency, Dems have to be prepared to root out problematic behavior within their own ranks. For example, there’s Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.)

A Louisiana congressman demanded bribes in exchange for his help in promoting a pair of business deals in Africa, according to court documents filed Wednesday with a guilty plea by one of the congressman’s former staffers.

Brett Pfeffer, 37, a former legislative director to Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy. He could get 20 years in prison when sentenced March 31. A spokeswoman for Jefferson declined to comment.

Specifically, Pfeffer said in federal court that a congressman demanded bribes in exchange for his assistance in brokering two African telecom deals.

Court documents did not identify the congressman by name, referring to him only as “Representative A.” But the documents make clear that Jefferson is the congressman.

The reports, at this point, look pretty bad for the Louisiana lawmaker. Pfeffer, a top Jefferson aide, alleges that Jefferson asked him to help promote business ventures in Nigeria and Ghana, but demanded between a 5% and 7% stake in the newly formed companies in the countries.

If Jefferson’s name sounds familiar, it may be because I wrote about him in September — after he received a suspicious National Guard escort to check on his New Orleans home after Hurricane Katrina struck.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has said, in response to questions about Jefferson, “[I]f the facts are such that there is an ethical violation or there is a criminal violation, then I think it is appropriate for the ethics committee and for perhaps the Congress to act, period, whether it is a Democrat or a Republican.”

That still sounds like the right approach. Don’t blame the media or the GOP, and don’t say “everybody does it.” Let Jack Abramoff’s friends take the low road while Dems get their house in order and show lawmakers like Jefferson the door.

What a great opportunity. Dems can demand Jefferson face ethics charges. centrure, expulsiion or whatever and that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. Republicans will have two choices 1) investigate Jefferson only and explain why he has to face charges while Republicans don’t; or 2)don’t investigate him and explain why the exercise no ethical oversight over anyone.

Dem’s have to hang Jefferson out to dry and frankly I’m OK with that.

  • Dem’s have to hang Jefferson out to dry and frankly I’m OK with that.

    I think that we need to go just a bit further with this. It is our responsibility to deal with this. I keep harping on this point, but these are public service jobs, and should be considered repayment for the benefits that we receive by living in this country.

  • MNProgressive, Absolutely.

    It’s important that we remove as many opportunities as possible for RepubCo to point at the Dem’s and say “them too”. Even one guy like Jefferson greatly deflates the Culture of Corruption argument.

  • I’ve thought for a long time that Jefferson needs to be thrown under the bus–but who is waiting in the wings? Granted, Jefferson’s district is insanely Dem, but the only obvious candidate is Ray Nagin. I’m not entirely sold on him–remember, he used to be a Repub. And he endorsed Bobby Jindal for governor!

  • Jefferson is a disgrace. He should be cut loose and he should be held accountable. A Dem should be the person who brings the ethics charges against him and call for his resignation. ASAP. It is important to meet this head on.

    As for a replacement, under the current circumstances down here in Jefferson’s district, and the state of flux and confusion over how the hurricane evacuation has affected demographics, Ray Nagin would not have a strong chance at this position. There are a few people who would actually be great for this position, but due to such a dearth of quality Dem candidates statewide there are or will be too many important political positions available and not enough quality Dem candidates. Governor, Mayor of New Orleans, Jefferson’s seat–if Dems could find a quality non-New Orleanian to run for Governor, that would help, but that position may be lost for the next election regardless of who runs on the Dem side. Mitch Landrieu would be a solid replacement for Jefferson, but his eyes are probably on the Mayor’s seat.

  • Peggy Wilson wants to be mayor – and apparantly has for a long time. But Landrieu may have a better chance.

    As for Jefferson – I was never a fan. I know Uptown NOLA didn’t care for him but they don’t have the majority vote. Post Katrina may be a different story. I don’t know enough of the local political scene anymore to know who – Democrat or Republican – may be willing to take Jefferson on. Either way I would not be at all surprised if he is not back. They only thing in his favor is the craziness of tring to get the voting up and running post Katrina.

  • “The only thing in his favor is the craziness of tring to get the voting up and running post Katrina.”

    Ain’t that the truth, ET.

  • This could go a long way to illustrate the difference between Democrats and Republicans. They protect their criminals. We drum them out ASAP. If we want to be the party of honest government, we can’t be afraid to hold our own guys to the same standard.

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