Is the Noose Tightening?

After reading Allan Lengel's article in this morning's Washington Post, I'd say that the noose is almost tight around William Jefferson's neck.
A wary Northern Virginia investor agreed to cooperate with the FBI in a public corruption investigation of Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-LA) and wear a "wire while engaged in face-to-face meetings with the Congressman," according to a court document filed yesterday. The woman also recorded telephone conversations, as did the FBI through court-authorized wiretaps, the document said. The woman is identified only as a "cooperating witness" in the document, but people familiar with the case previously have identified her as Lori Mody, 42.

The disclosures provided new insights into the mounting case against Jefferson. In the past few months, two people have pleaded guilty to bribing the eight-term congressman to promote iGate Inc., a Kentucky-based high-tech company that sought broadband business in Africa. Jefferson, 59, has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing. His office declined to comment yesterday. His lawyer, Robert P. Trout of Washington, did not return a phone message left at his office.
I can't imagine Representative Jefferson slept too well Monday night knowing that the FBI talked this investor into taping him.

Add that information to this report last week:
Prosecutor Mark Lytle said Jackson paid roughly $360,000 over a four-year period to a company controlled by the congressman's wife in exchange for Jefferson's help promoting iGate technology in Africa. Jackson also gave the company a 24 percent stake in iGate and paid for $80,000 in travel expenses on the congressman's trips to Africa to promote iGate.
I'm not an attorney but I'd have to think that this case is practically airtight.
Jefferson, 59, has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing. His office declined to comment yesterday. His lawyer, Robert P. Trout of Washington, did not return a phone message left at his office.
When a congressman goes silent as he nears a re-election campaign, most people would think that something's seriously wrong. In this instance, they'd be right.



Posted Tuesday, May 9, 2006 1:14 AM

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