Jefferson: Probe Won't Force Resignation

[rpannier]

I don't know enough about this to comment, but if he did take $100,000 he needs to go.

WASHINGTON - A Louisiana congressman under investigation for bribery said Monday he would not resign in the face of allegations that he was videotaped accepting $100,000 from an informant.

Democratic Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record), who has not been charged, called an FBI search of his Capitol office "an outrageous intrusion," telling reporters: "There are two sides to every story. There are certainly two sides to this story."

The FBI revealed Sunday that Jefferson was videotaped accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant, who agreed to have her conversations with the congressman taped. Agents later found the cash hidden in a freezer, according to court documents.

snip

Jefferson has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing, but two of his associates have pleaded guilty to bribery-related charges in federal court in Alexandria, Va.


******
Rep Jefferson my be right. There may be another part to this story. I'd be curious as to what it is and why he put the money in his freezer.

on edit (forgot the link)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060522/ap_on_go_co/congressman_probe;_ylt=AnSe69todl8HVlX4qi7_mS6yFz4D

[acmejack]

1. He should save himself further embarrassment and resign now!

Unless he truly is innocent and if that is the case he has one hell of a story to tell!

[Supersedeas]

4. Ya just have to shake your head sometimes--Rove found the right guy

[station agent]

5. Agreed. And liberals must live up to the example set by Conservatives

in the fair minded way they handled all their scandals. Such composure. Such grace.

We're doing a little satire today.

[Rowdyboy]

2. God I wish he had a real defense but I don't believe he does...

Why not resign and spare your party humiliation? Sadly, ego/self preservation is the only excuse I can currently see. Its sickening to have the entire successful Republican "culture of corruption" meme negated by one ignorant, greedy bastard who refuses to accept reality and admit that he took bribes. 35 corrupt Republicans=1 or 2 corrupt Democrats so both sides are guilty, right? Thats certainly how the press will play the story. As long as Jefferson hangs on its proof Democrats are no better than Randy Cunningham, Bob Ney and that Pombo freak. He's our worst enemy.

I wish the gentleman would show some class and resign. Sadly, he won't.

[Trajan]

3. This man was videotaped accepting graft in the form of cash ....

The person paying out that cash was wired by the FBI, and clearly recorded his voice, saying his words, as he accepted that filthy money ...

His FREEZER contained $90,000 of the $100,000 he accepted ....

I DESPISE such criminality from an officeholder ....

There is NO EXCUSE ... none whatsoever ...

This man MUST resign, AND get booted from the party ....

[robcon]

6. He'll have to leave if he's indicted.

We've heard about the videotape. And the freezer. But until the bill of particulars is published, he doesn't have to do anything.

(Of course he doesn't have to do anything even after he is indicted, but it doesn't look good.)

[LynneSin]

7. If he won't resign then democrats need to "Trafficant" him

Jim Trafficant was also accused of bribes and wouldn't resign. Democrats stripped him of all committee assignments.

I do believe that we are innocent until proven guilty but since bribery is involved by removing Jefferson from his committees would at least help slow down any additional scandals and absolve the democratic party from any further embarassment.

[gulliver]

8. Dems should start an ethics investigation of him...

... right away and dump him if he looks dirty. This is all the Republicans need. I don't buy their complaints. They want to use Jefferson for cover, and it will work.