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June 17, 2009

Trial of Former Democratic Rep. William Jefferson Begins
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The federal trial of former Democratic Congressman William Jefferson of
Louisiana has begun. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors told jurors
Jefferson had squeezed hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks
from people who sought his help. Jefferson has been charged with sixteen
counts, including bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and
money laundering. In 2005 the FBI raided Jefferson’s Capitol Hill home
and found $90,000 wrapped in foil and stuffed in food containers in a
freezer.



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