KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Ex-Rep. Jefferson to be sentenced for bribery Fri.
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Associated Press - November 13, 2009 4:14 AM ET
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The former Louisiana congressman who famously hid $90,000 cash in his freezer following an FBI bribery sting will soon learn his punishment.
Sentencing is scheduled Friday afternoon in Alexandria for William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans.
Jefferson was convicted on charges including bribery and racketeering. Prosecutors said he took in roughly half a million dollars in bribes and sought millions more in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
Prosecutors want the 62-year-old Jefferson to serve at least 27 years in prison, which would be the longest term ever imposed on a congressman convicted of bribery. The defense wants less than 10 years and hopes Jefferson can remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction.
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