This is great news and I hope most Democrats agree. It is certainly a surprise.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD94TL5GG1
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La. voters oust indicted Rep. William Jefferson
By CAIN BURDEAU – 59 minutes ago
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Voters in Louisiana ousted indicted Democratic Rep. William Jefferson on Saturday, instead electing a Republican attorney who will be the first Vietnamese-American in Congress.
Unofficial results showed Anh "Joseph" Cao denying Jefferson a 10th term. Republicans made an aggressive push to take the seat from the 61-year-old incumbent, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, laundering money and misusing his congressional office.
Cao, 41, won a predominantly black and heavily Democratic district that covers most of New Orleans.
A barrage of election-day automated telephone calls on Cao's behalf flooded the district, including a pitch from the national Republican Party.
New Orleans voters had long been loyal to Jefferson, re-electing him in 2006 even after news of the bribery scandal broke. Late-night TV comics made him the butt of jokes after federal agents said they found $90,000 in alleged bribe money hidden in his freezer.
"People are innocent until proven guilty," said Faye Leggins, 54, an educator and Democrat who moved back to the city six months ago and still has fresh memories of Hurricane Katrina. She voted for Jefferson on Saturday. "He has enough seniority, so he can do a lot to redevelop this city."
But Republicans argued the scandal had cost Jefferson his clout in Congress. Election Day brought excitement to the state's usually low-key Vietnamese-American community, said David Nguyen, 45, a store manager and Cao supporter.
"The Vietnamese aren't much into politics," he said.
Turnout appeared light in the district, where two-thirds of voters are Democrats and 11 percent are Republicans. More than 60 percent are black.
Though he was the underdog, Cao received endorsements from some Democrat and green-conscious groups as well as the area's Vietnamese-American community. Cao came to the United States as a child after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and went on to earn degrees in philosophy, physics and law.
The election was one of two in Louisiana postponed because of Hurricane Gustav.
In western Louisiana's 4th Congressional District, Republican physician John Fleming defeated Democratic district attorney Paul Carmouche in a very close race to replace U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery, a 10-term Republican who is retiring. Fleming had 48 percent of the vote to Carmouche's 47 percent. Two minor candidates split the remaining vote.
Both candidates had help from national heavyweights. President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad for Carmouche, while Vice President Dick Cheney helped Fleming with fundraising.
The national GOP also backed Cao, an immigration lawyer, with a barrage of advertising portraying Jefferson as corrupt.
Prosecutors contend Jefferson used his influence as chairman of the congressional Africa Investment and Trade Caucus to broker deals in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and other African nations on behalf of those who bribed him.
The 2007 indictment claims Jefferson received more than $500,000 in bribes and demanded millions more between 2000 and 2005, including the $90,000 found in the freezer of his Washington home.
No trial date has been set for Jefferson, who became Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction when he took office in 1991.
He also faced the Green Party candidate Malik Rahim and Libertarian Gregory W. Kahn in the race.
Stunning GOP Victory: Jefferson Defeated in Louisiana!
Moderator: Super Moderators
http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cg ... dta=120608
Louisiana Secretary of State
Unofficial Election Results Inquiry
Results for Election Date: 12/06/08
12/06/2008 23.42.37
U. S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District
492 of 492 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
31,296 46.82% William J. Jefferson, D -
1,880 2.81% Malik Rahim, G -
548 .82% Gregory W. Kahn, L -
33,122 49.55% Anh "Joseph" Cao, R -
Louisiana Secretary of State
Unofficial Election Results Inquiry
Results for Election Date: 12/06/08
12/06/2008 23.42.37
U. S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District
492 of 492 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
31,296 46.82% William J. Jefferson, D -
1,880 2.81% Malik Rahim, G -
548 .82% Gregory W. Kahn, L -
33,122 49.55% Anh "Joseph" Cao, R -
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http://www.thenextright.com/patrick-ruf ... t-strategy
Joseph Cao and the 435 District Strategy
by Patrick Ruffini |
December 7, 2008 at 2:16 AM
There were two elections in Louisiana tonight, and it's fair to say that before tonight, what became John Fleming's squeaker in the 4th attracted 99% of the attention from the political class. After tonight, that figure should be reversed.
In the heart of New Orleans, in a district that is 28 points more Democrat than the national average, Joseph Cao sent Bill Jefferson packing. As Swing State Project notes, Cao now represents the district with the most lopsided voting patterns favoring the other party, outstripping the R+26 margin in Jim Matheson's UT-3.
As I noted yesterday and reiterate tonight, there could be no more vivid example of why we need to run Republican candidates in every district than Louisiana's 2nd. Cao won his seat more solidly than Fleming did in an R+7 seat. Starting with Obama CoS Rahm Emanuel, Democrats started to understand that Congressional races can be very nonpartisan under the right circumstances and that poor performance or other personal shortcomings by the incumbent can render even a hefty party ID deficit meaningless.
We can't recreate Bill Jefferson in every district -- the guy was indicted on 16 counts and the feds found 90 G's in his freezer. It's also an accident of history that the election happened today instead of on 11/4 when Jefferson could have ridden Obama's coattails -- it was delayed by Hurricane Gustav. There isn't a Bill Jefferson in every district, but there is a Joseph Cao. Here's Cao's biography, boiled down:
* Family fled South Vietnam in 1975 when the Communists took over
* Learned English and graduated with a degree in physics from Baylor University
* Joined the Jesuits after graduation; taught philosophy at Loyola University in New Orleans while going to law school
* Advocated for Vietnamese refugees in the U.S., leaving private practice to do so
* Returned to New Orleans after Katrina and became a community activist on rebuilding issues
* Rebuilt his law practice from scratch after Katrina
Cao ran as an independent for the state legislature in 2007 but is otherwise a political novice.
In crafting our 435 district strategy, the lesson is that we don't need to run risk-averse politicians in longshot seats. We need to run everyday heroes like Cao. We need to identify people outside politics who've done things in the community and who can capitalize on the incumbents' mistakes. Every district has a Joseph Cao.
Joseph Cao and the 435 District Strategy
by Patrick Ruffini |
December 7, 2008 at 2:16 AM
There were two elections in Louisiana tonight, and it's fair to say that before tonight, what became John Fleming's squeaker in the 4th attracted 99% of the attention from the political class. After tonight, that figure should be reversed.
In the heart of New Orleans, in a district that is 28 points more Democrat than the national average, Joseph Cao sent Bill Jefferson packing. As Swing State Project notes, Cao now represents the district with the most lopsided voting patterns favoring the other party, outstripping the R+26 margin in Jim Matheson's UT-3.
As I noted yesterday and reiterate tonight, there could be no more vivid example of why we need to run Republican candidates in every district than Louisiana's 2nd. Cao won his seat more solidly than Fleming did in an R+7 seat. Starting with Obama CoS Rahm Emanuel, Democrats started to understand that Congressional races can be very nonpartisan under the right circumstances and that poor performance or other personal shortcomings by the incumbent can render even a hefty party ID deficit meaningless.
We can't recreate Bill Jefferson in every district -- the guy was indicted on 16 counts and the feds found 90 G's in his freezer. It's also an accident of history that the election happened today instead of on 11/4 when Jefferson could have ridden Obama's coattails -- it was delayed by Hurricane Gustav. There isn't a Bill Jefferson in every district, but there is a Joseph Cao. Here's Cao's biography, boiled down:
* Family fled South Vietnam in 1975 when the Communists took over
* Learned English and graduated with a degree in physics from Baylor University
* Joined the Jesuits after graduation; taught philosophy at Loyola University in New Orleans while going to law school
* Advocated for Vietnamese refugees in the U.S., leaving private practice to do so
* Returned to New Orleans after Katrina and became a community activist on rebuilding issues
* Rebuilt his law practice from scratch after Katrina
Cao ran as an independent for the state legislature in 2007 but is otherwise a political novice.
In crafting our 435 district strategy, the lesson is that we don't need to run risk-averse politicians in longshot seats. We need to run everyday heroes like Cao. We need to identify people outside politics who've done things in the community and who can capitalize on the incumbents' mistakes. Every district has a Joseph Cao.
racehorse
rumike wrote: Jefferson deserved to lose. All politicians who commit crimes should be thrown out and prosecuted for them.
Yep. Including Jefferson and that fool in Alaska. Why anything less is tolerated absolutely stupefies me.
We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. B. Franklin
http://www.wdsu.com/news/20294717/detail.html
Jefferson Found Guilty Of 11 Of 16 Counts
Sentencing Scheduled For Oct. 30;
Ex-Congressman Could Get 135 Years
POSTED: 4:12 pm CDT August 5, 2009
UPDATED: 11:22 pm CDT August 5, 2009
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson has been found guilty of 11 of the 16 charges against him in a federal bribery and conspiracy trial.
Among those charges, one of the most serious is a guilty verdict on a RICO charge, or Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization charge. That charge alone carries a sentence of up to 20 years.
Jefferson, a Democrat who served as New Orleans' congressman for nine terms, was also convicted of soliciting bribes, money laundering and depriving citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Content Of Jefferson Jurors' Note To Judge Kept Secret
"This is an important prosecution. Congressman Jefferson owed his citizens his honest service and he violated that trust. This is what brought us here today," said Dana J. Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Watch surveillance video of Jefferson accepting briefcase of cash.
About an hour after the verdict was announced, Jefferson appeared before reporters alongside his attorney, Robert Trout. He had few comments in response to the verdict.
"I'm holding up," Jefferson said.
Prosecutors alleged Jefferson accepted more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa. Federal investigators who raided his Washington apartment discovered $90,000 in his freezer that they claimed was intended bribe money. Watch surveillance video of Jefferson discussing deals with Nigeria.
"Ninety thousand dollars in a freezer is not a gray area. It's a violation. And today a jury of his peers found him guilty," Boente said. See evidence photos of the freezer cash.
The jury's verdict brings to an end the nearly eight-week long trial. Jurors deliberated for just under five days before reaching a verdict Wednesday afternoon.
"From the amount of time they took to deliberate, jury seems to have done a very efficient and thorough job," said legal analyst Chick Foret, a local attorney who has been closely following the case. Watch legal analysts discuss the verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30, and Jefferson could face a maximum of 135 years in prison for the charges on which he was convicted.
Survey: What's next for Jefferson?
If sentences for different counts are served concurrently, Jefferson could be released in a matter of decades. If they are served consecutively, Jefferson may be facing a century in prison.
Prosecutors asked for Jefferson to be taken into federal custody immediately, but Judge T.S. Ellis denied that request.
“He should begin his sentence shortly if not immediately after his Oct. 30 sentencing hearing. He will probably not be allowed out on bond while he waits for an appeal," Foret said. “He should be in custody by the winter holidays if not earlier.”
Jefferson may also be ordered to forfeit $400,000 in alleged bribes to the federal government. The jury will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Thursday to consider that issue.
An appeal may not come forward for nine months to a year.
"Convictions are not likely to be overturned," said political analyst Charles Rice, who also has been following the case.
Below is the complete breakdown of what the jury found:
Guilty on count 1: Conspiracy to solicit bribes by a public official, deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud, and violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Guilty on count 2: Conspiracy to solicit bribes by a public official and deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Guilty on counts 3-4: Solicitation of bribes by a public official.
Not guilty on count 5, guilty on counts 6-7, not guilty on counts 8-9, guilty on count 10: Scheme to deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Not guilty on count 11: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Guilty on counts 12-14: Money laundering.
Not guilty on count 15: Obstruction of justice.
Guilty on count 16: Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization, pattern of racketeering activity (RICO).
Jefferson Found Guilty Of 11 Of 16 Counts
Sentencing Scheduled For Oct. 30;
Ex-Congressman Could Get 135 Years
POSTED: 4:12 pm CDT August 5, 2009
UPDATED: 11:22 pm CDT August 5, 2009
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson has been found guilty of 11 of the 16 charges against him in a federal bribery and conspiracy trial.
Among those charges, one of the most serious is a guilty verdict on a RICO charge, or Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization charge. That charge alone carries a sentence of up to 20 years.
Jefferson, a Democrat who served as New Orleans' congressman for nine terms, was also convicted of soliciting bribes, money laundering and depriving citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Content Of Jefferson Jurors' Note To Judge Kept Secret
"This is an important prosecution. Congressman Jefferson owed his citizens his honest service and he violated that trust. This is what brought us here today," said Dana J. Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Watch surveillance video of Jefferson accepting briefcase of cash.
About an hour after the verdict was announced, Jefferson appeared before reporters alongside his attorney, Robert Trout. He had few comments in response to the verdict.
"I'm holding up," Jefferson said.
Prosecutors alleged Jefferson accepted more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa. Federal investigators who raided his Washington apartment discovered $90,000 in his freezer that they claimed was intended bribe money. Watch surveillance video of Jefferson discussing deals with Nigeria.
"Ninety thousand dollars in a freezer is not a gray area. It's a violation. And today a jury of his peers found him guilty," Boente said. See evidence photos of the freezer cash.
The jury's verdict brings to an end the nearly eight-week long trial. Jurors deliberated for just under five days before reaching a verdict Wednesday afternoon.
"From the amount of time they took to deliberate, jury seems to have done a very efficient and thorough job," said legal analyst Chick Foret, a local attorney who has been closely following the case. Watch legal analysts discuss the verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30, and Jefferson could face a maximum of 135 years in prison for the charges on which he was convicted.
Survey: What's next for Jefferson?
If sentences for different counts are served concurrently, Jefferson could be released in a matter of decades. If they are served consecutively, Jefferson may be facing a century in prison.
Prosecutors asked for Jefferson to be taken into federal custody immediately, but Judge T.S. Ellis denied that request.
“He should begin his sentence shortly if not immediately after his Oct. 30 sentencing hearing. He will probably not be allowed out on bond while he waits for an appeal," Foret said. “He should be in custody by the winter holidays if not earlier.”
Jefferson may also be ordered to forfeit $400,000 in alleged bribes to the federal government. The jury will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Thursday to consider that issue.
An appeal may not come forward for nine months to a year.
"Convictions are not likely to be overturned," said political analyst Charles Rice, who also has been following the case.
Below is the complete breakdown of what the jury found:
Guilty on count 1: Conspiracy to solicit bribes by a public official, deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud, and violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Guilty on count 2: Conspiracy to solicit bribes by a public official and deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Guilty on counts 3-4: Solicitation of bribes by a public official.
Not guilty on count 5, guilty on counts 6-7, not guilty on counts 8-9, guilty on count 10: Scheme to deprive citizens of honest services by wire fraud.
Not guilty on count 11: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Guilty on counts 12-14: Money laundering.
Not guilty on count 15: Obstruction of justice.
Guilty on count 16: Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization, pattern of racketeering activity (RICO).
racehorse
http://www.rollcall.com/news/40587-1.ht ... r_friendly
Jefferson Sentenced to 13 Years
Nov. 13, 2009, 5:53 p.m.
By Jennifer Yachnin
Roll Call Staff
A federal judge sentenced ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) on Friday to 13 years in prison, the longest incarceration ever ordered for a former Member of Congress.
The sentence falls short of the maximum 33 years federal prosecutors recommended in court documents. Jefferson’s attorneys recommended a term of no more than 10 years.
A federal jury in August found Jefferson guilty of 11 criminal charges, including conspiracy to solicit bribes, money laundering, wire fraud and a pattern of racketeering activity.
The jury determined Jefferson may have to forfeit up to $471,000, plus additional stock holdings, the income that he received as a result of those criminal activities.
Judge T.S. Ellis said: “Public corruption is a cancer. It needs to be surgically removed.”
Jefferson Sentenced to 13 Years
Nov. 13, 2009, 5:53 p.m.
By Jennifer Yachnin
Roll Call Staff
A federal judge sentenced ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) on Friday to 13 years in prison, the longest incarceration ever ordered for a former Member of Congress.
The sentence falls short of the maximum 33 years federal prosecutors recommended in court documents. Jefferson’s attorneys recommended a term of no more than 10 years.
A federal jury in August found Jefferson guilty of 11 criminal charges, including conspiracy to solicit bribes, money laundering, wire fraud and a pattern of racketeering activity.
The jury determined Jefferson may have to forfeit up to $471,000, plus additional stock holdings, the income that he received as a result of those criminal activities.
Judge T.S. Ellis said: “Public corruption is a cancer. It needs to be surgically removed.”
racehorse