Ex-Congressman Gets 13 Years for Bribes
(ALEXANDRIA, Va.) — A former Louisiana congressman has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
The sentence handed down Friday in suburban Washington was far less than the nearly 30 years prosecutors had sought for William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans.
Agents investigating the case found $90,000 wrapped in foil and hidden in boxes of pie crusts in Jefferson's freezer.
Prosecutors had asked a judge to sentence him to at least 27 years. Jefferson was convicted earlier this year on charges including bribery and racketeering. Prosecutors said he took in roughly $500,000 in bribes and sought millions more.
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