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Affidavit: $90,000 found in congressman's freezer
FBI wraps up search of Jefferson's office in bribery probe

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal agents searched the Capitol Hill office of a Louisiana congressman under investigation on bribery charges Sunday, while newly released court papers said agents found $90,000 in cash last year in his Washington home.

In a 95-page affidavit used to obtain a warrant for the office search, investigators stated that an August 2005 search of Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's home turned up the cash sum in a freezer.

The money was divided among various frozen food containers, according to the heavily redacted affidavit. (Watch what Jefferson said about the 'hell' of being investigated -- 4:47)

Agents told a judge the money was part of a $100,000 payment that had been delivered by an informant in the bribery probe, which already has led to guilty pleas by a Kentucky businessman and a former Jefferson aide.

The Justice Department has been investigating Jefferson's relationship to telecommunications deals in Africa and elsewhere, and the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation of him last week.

The eight-term congressman, whose district includes New Orleans and some of its suburbs, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to remain in office to battle any criminal charges he may face.

But the affidavit states that investigators have collected evidence linking Jefferson to at least seven other cases in which he "sought things of value in return for his performance of official acts."

Robert Trout, the congressman's lawyer, decried the release of the affidavit. In a statement issued Sunday night, he said it served "no legitimate investigative purpose."

"This disclosure by the prosecutors is part of a public relations agenda and an obvious attempt to embarrass Congressman Jefferson," Trout said. "The affidavit itself is just one side of the story, which has not been tested in court."

He said Jefferson would respond "at the appropriate time" if charged with any wrongdoing.

FBI agents searched Jefferson's office in the Rayburn House Office Building from Saturday evening to early Sunday afternoon, bureau spokeswoman Debra Weierman said. One government official told CNN the search marked the first time FBI agents have searched a lawmaker's Capitol Hill office.

Weierman would not comment on what agents removed from Jefferson's office. But in the papers released Sunday, investigators stated they were searching for faxes, notes, telephone records and other forms of communication, as well as ledgers and computer files related to meetings and travel.

In an earlier statement, Trout called the search of Jefferson's office "outrageous" and said it was not necessary.

"There were no exigent circumstances necessitating this action. The government knew that the documents were being appropriately preserved while proper procedures were being followed. We are dismayed by this action -- the documents weren't going anywhere and the prosecutors knew it," he said.

However, a redacted copy of the search warrant and affidavit stated that federal investigators were unable to obtain the records relevant to the investigation inside Jefferson's office and, "left with no other method," proceeded with the search.

A government official close to the investigation told CNN the search was executed over the weekend when few people are on Capitol Hill because they believed that time would "be appropriate."

Agents had previously searched Jefferson's home in New Orleans. The cash found in his Washington residence was part of a $100,000 payment delivered by a cooperating witness, according to the affidavit, which said the delivery was videotaped by the FBI.

The FBI began investigating Jefferson in March 2005 stemming from accusations made by the witness, a Virginia resident who owns an investment firm.

He told the FBI that he was "a victim of a fraud and bribery scheme" involving Jefferson; Vernon Jackson, CEO of the Louisville, Kentucky-based company iGate; and Brett Pfeffer, the president of the investment firm owned by the unnamed witness and a former Jefferson aide.

According to the affidavit, Jefferson had asked the witness for a percentage ownership interest in his Nigerian broadband company in exchange for the congressman "using his official acts to support the the Nigerian business venture."
Guilty pleas

Jackson pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month to bribing the congressman with more than $400,000 in payments, company stock and a share of the profits in order to promote iGate's high-tech business ventures in Africa. (Full story)

Pfeffer, of Herndon, Virginia, pleaded guilty in January to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official.

Both have agreed to cooperate with authorities as part of their plea agreements.

The affidavit states Jefferson "attempted to use his position as a United States Congressman" to promote other iGate business ventures in Nigeria, Ghana and possibly other African nations.

"In exchange for his official acts supporting the proposed business ventures," the affidavit said, Jefferson has received a 30 percent equity stake in the witness' Nigerian company and more than $400,000 in payments from iGate.

The 30 percent equity, in the form of stocks, was placed in the name of a Nigerian limited liability corporation held by the congressman's children, the affidavit said.

The cloud over Jefferson comes as Democratic leaders have been attacking what they call a "culture of corruption" surrounding the Republican leadership in Congress.

With midterm elections in November, Democrats are trying to highlight GOP ties to the influence-peddling investigation surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the indictment of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in a Texas court, and last year's guilty plea of California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, now serving an eight-year stretch for taking bribes from defense contractors.

In a news conference last week, Jefferson said he was innocent and that he would remain in office while he fights any charges. (Full story)

"I wish to say emphatically that in all of my actions that are here under scrutiny, that I have never intended to dishonor my office, or you, the public, and I certainly did not sell my office," Jefferson told reporters.

CNN's Kevin Bohn and Terry Frieden contributed to this report.

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/21/jefferson.search/index.html


-Kiamat Dusk

I heard this story on the radio this morning. This is exactly the reason that the democrats need to develop a better message than "we're not as corrupt as the current administration" if they want to be successful. I really don't like the current embodiment of the republican party, but the democrats aren't looking that much better.

I saw Howard Dean's appearance on The Daily Show a little while back and if the message he had is the best the democrat's can come up with they'll be lucky not to lose seats this fall.

I love Howard Dean, he helps the democratic party so much...

Seriously though. The democratic party constituency seems rather oblivious to the fact that their party has no platform. The upcoming elections will be very interesting.

Briana Dawson

Not to make light of corruption, but a couple of things in this had me giggling:




and

Yeah, it probably all started when he replied to that email to launder money for a Nigerian prince and just snowballed from there.

Howard Dean is the best thing to happen to the Republican party since Karl Rove.

-Kiamat Dusk

You know I think that if there were a box to check that said "None of the Above", a lot of people are sick enough of both parties and the overall corruption in the political system that they would check it.

.

Must be nice, all I have in my freezer is popscicles and Eggo waffles that probably have freezer burn on em.

That's not saying much. I voted for Nader in 2000 because Gore and Bush both sucked. Had McCain made the ballot I would have voted Republican. For that we can thank Karl Rove.

Karl Rove, his tactics and the consequences of them were major contributors to my decision to vote for Democrats in '02 and '04 and probably will in '06.

*shrug*
mileage may vary.

I'm just sick of voting against a candidate. Its been a long time since I voted for anyone.

A lot of people would be wrong then. The level of corruption in Republicans and Democrats is not even close to comparable.

If Rep. Jefferson is guilty I'll be the first to say throw his ass in jail, however ...

$90,000? Peanuts in BushWorld. Why aren't they going after the really big looters--who are stealing billions and billions and billions and billions of dollars, from our federal coffers.

Just remember WHO controls our very purged and Bush-saluting FBI, and WHO is spying on everybody in the country.

Seriously --you want me to say corruption is even between the two Partys?? Hahahahahahahaha! Bush and Cheney use 90,000 to light fart flames with. Get real.

I voted FOR Gore --and I'd do it again.

I voted FOR Kerry --and I'd do it again.

But I get your point. I just hope you remember McCain then ain't McCain now.

Some people just never learn.

-Kiamat Dusk

If the FBI is so controlled by Bush, then why have there been so many Republican corruption scandals lately?

-Kiamat Dusk

Because Republicans are corrupt. Now ask me how many are being investigated.

Right, Republicans are corrupt, and Democrats are squeaky clean.

So if they're corrupt and being investigated by the FBI, doesn't it stand to reason that the FBI isn't being controlled by the Bush administration? Normally you at least try to pay lip service to logic and facts when you start spouting your rhetoric.

-Kiamat Dusk

When I first read this I thought you were claiming that the World Health Organization controlled the FBI and was spying on everybody.

In my opinion, whether it's 9 dollars or 9 million dollars it's theft. I definitely do not think that it's limited to just the Democrats. Tom Delay, Randy Cunningham, Katherine Harris, etc. Even worse than the politicians are the petty bureaucrats - like Claude Allen, arrested for stealing from Target or Dr. David Hager arrested for raping and beating his wife.

It's disgusting. It's not a partisan issue it's a power issue. As voters we need to be more cautious and not put people like this in office. Maybe we should care less about their party affiliation, sexual preference or personal life and more about their integrity and intelligence.

.

They aren't investigating. That's my point. sheeeeeeesh.

Let's make a bet. I bet William Jefferson is investigated far more intensively than Richard Cheney.

Is Hilary going to run? Is Kerry thinking about trying it again?

i think if either of them run it will be like laying out the red-carpet for a republican president to stroll into the Whitehouse.

I just can't wait!


Briana Dawson

Kerry almost beat an incumbent war time President. I, personally, think he'd make a fine candidate. Hilary not so much.

Why do you hate women?

-Kiamat Dusk

"If Rep. Jefferson is guilty"

lol...

Video evidence not good enough these days huh? The guy has huge balls for even daring to claim innocence. Yet, a recycled rumor based off of a photographed questionable document that was hand copied eight times and sent to a random fax machine by an unconfirmed source is more convincing--IF it is critical of the right people. Yep. Typical...

I can't wait until next election when the FBI gets voted out and becomes Democrat!!!!11 Oh wait isn't it the same people appointed to the FBI from before the Bush administration? OOps

Hilary is my junior Senator. I'd like to see her become my senior Senator. I have no desire to see her as President. She's too far to the right for my taste.

Shes a church goin' war hawk and as close to a Republican as her husband. Just say no to DLC democrats.

Kerry/Boxer '08