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Former Congressman Jefferson Convicted In Freezer Cash Case

A federal jury convicted a former Louisiana congressman Wednesday of taking bribes on 11 of 16 counts in a case in which agents found $90,000 in his freezer.

Former Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat who had represented parts of New Orleans, was accused of accepting more than $400,000 in bribes and seeking millions more in exchange for brokering business deals in Africa. He was convicted of charges including bribery, racketeering and money laundering. He was acquitted of counts including obstruction of justice and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

He was the first official to be charged with violating that act, which makes it illegal to bribe foreign government officials.

It took jurors five days to reach a decision after an eight-week trial that was mostly government testimony. The defense wrapped up its case in a matter of hours.

Prosecutor Mark Lytle said Jefferson could face more than 20 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. He wanted the 62-year-old former congressman detained immediately after the verdict, saying his ties to Africa made him a risk to flee what could amount to a life prison sentence.

However, Judge T.S. Ellis III allowed Jefferson to remain free on bond because of his local ties.

The defense argued that Jefferson was acting as a private business consultant in brokering the deals and that his actions did not constitute bribery under federal law.

Prosecutors accused Jefferson of hiding bribes by funneling money disguised as consulting fees through sham companies controlled by his wife and brother.

In one recording played by defense attorneys, Jefferson explained that he did not want his name on any of the deals to avoid an appearance of impropriety.

Legally, much of the case turned on whether Jefferson's deal-brokering constituted an "official act" under federal bribery laws.

Jefferson has been under investigation since March 2005. In August of that year, FBI agents searched his Washington home and found $90,000 cash in his freezer, wrapped in foil and hidden in boxes of frozen pie crust.

Jefferson has disputed a claim by prosecutors that the freezer cash was bribe money.

Jefferson is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 30. The jurors must return to the courthouse Thursday to consider whether Jefferson has to forfeit more than $450,000 in alleged bribe receipts.

This program aired on August 5, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

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