Jefferson charged in bribery and corruption

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A federal grand jury in Alexandria yesterday indicted Rep. William J. Jefferson, Louisiana Democrat, on charges of bribery and corruption in his promotion of telecommunications equipment and services in Africa.

The 16-count indictment said Mr. Jefferson, 60, sought bribes for himself and his family, including the $90,000 in cash found by FBI agents in a freezer during a search of his Washington home. The nine-term congressman is charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money-laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

"The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing the public-corruption laws designed to ensure the integrity of our government," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher, who heads the department's Criminal Division. "The department will continue to hold public officials accountable for corrupt acts such as the bribery schemes outlined in today's indictment."

The indictment said that from August 2000 to August 2005, Mr. Jefferson used his office to "corruptly seek, solicit and direct that things of value" be paid to him and his family in exchange for his performing official acts.

The "things of value," according to the indictment, included hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in the form of payments from monthly fees or retainers, consulting fees, percentage shares of revenues and profits, flat fees for items sold, and stock ownership in the companies seeking his official assistance.

Mr. Jefferson, who was traveling yesterday, has denied any wrongdoing. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 235 years in prison.

His attorney, Robert Trout, yesterday said the congressman is innocent and "plans to fight this indictment and clear his name."

"While the prosecution has been steadily sharing information with the public over the past two years, and while the Department of Justice has thrown together a lengthy and creative indictment, the government has yet to prove any charges in court," he said.

Two of Mr. Jefferson's associates have struck plea agreements with prosecutors, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and been sentenced.

Brett M. Pfeffer, a former member of Mr. Jefferson's staff, pleaded guilty to soliciting bribes on behalf of his boss and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Vernon L. Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Louisville-based telecommunications firm IGate, pleaded guilty to paying from $400,000 to $1 million in bribes to Mr. Jefferson and was sentenced to seven years and three months.