Former Jefferson aide sentenced to 8 years for bribery role

[kpete]

Former Jefferson aide sentenced to 8 years for bribery role
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press Writer
May 26, 2006

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A former aide to U.S. Rep. William Jefferson was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for his role in a bribery scandal involving the congressman.

Brett Pfeffer, 37, of Herndon, pleaded guilty in January to two charges: conspiracy to commit bribery and aiding and abetting bribery of a public official. Jefferson's name did not come up in the hearing in federal court, but other documents have made clear he is that public official.

Specifically, Pfeffer admitted to helping broker deals between Jefferson, D-La., and a northern Virginia investment executive for whom Pfeffer worked. That executive, who has not been identified in court documents, agreed to pay bribes to Jefferson after Pfeffer said the congressman would require it.

more at:
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--congressmanprobe-0526may26,0,2166416.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

[BR_Parkway]

1. Why can't we throw him out of the Dem party? I know everyone has a

right to innocent until proven guilty, but we wouldn't be stripping the man of his freedom without a trial - simply making him an independent until his case is resolved.

And it's not like that one vote would do that much if he got pissed and kept voting with the Repugs until he has to resign - we have enough other vichy Dems who don't even have retalitation as the excuse for why they vote (R) so often.

[seriousstan]

2. Because the people who think he was setup haven't chimed in yet.

At least not on this thread.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Assuming it's a set up - if he took the money, he still broke the law -

doesn't matter if it was a legitimate (?) bribe or a sting operation.

[NI4NI]

3. I don't know what the rules are

but, if Jefferson was either selected or elected by other Dems for his committe posistion, the Dems should either select or elect to suspend him ASAP. I hate hypocrisy as much as corruptuion. If he is vindicated, then Jefferson would be due a public recorded apology; If he's convicted, he's due 3 hots and a cot next to Duke Cunningham.