William Jefferson sought more bribes

November 18, 2007

Democrat William Jefferson, under indictment for bribery, tried to extort money from two more businesses, in addition to bribes has he been charged with soliciting.

Jefferson was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he used his official position to solicit hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for himself and his family

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Federal prosecutors say Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., tried to get money from two businesses, in addition to bribes has he been charged with soliciting.

In court papers filed Friday in Alexandria, Va., prosecutors said they plan to show that Jefferson engaged in a pattern of corrupt behavior, The Washington Post reported.

In one case, a lobbyist turned down Jefferson's alleged offer to help an oil services company do business in Africa in return for payments of $10,000 a month to a relative. In the other case, a company allegedly agreed to pay a Jefferson family company in return for a letter from the congressman pleading its case to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the newspaper said.

Jefferson is awaiting trial on charges that he took thousands of dollars from a telecommunications company.