Congressman Implicated in Case
January 12, 2006
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
nytimes.com
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 11 (AP) - A Louisiana congressman demanded bribes in exchange for his help in promoting a pair of business deals in Africa, according to court documents filed Wednesday with a guilty plea by a former aide.
The aide, Brett Pfeffer, 37, a former legislative director to Representative William J. Jefferson, Democrat of Louisiana, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy. Mr. Pfeffer could get 20 years in prison when he is sentenced March 31.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Jefferson declined to comment.
Mr. Pfeffer said in federal court here that a congressman had demanded bribes in exchange for his assistance in brokering two African telecommunications deals.
Court documents did not identify the congressman by name, but the documents make clear that Mr. Jefferson is the congressman.
According to the documents, Mr. Pfeffer was employed as a legislative assistant by the congressman from 1995 through 1997. That is when Mr. Pfeffer served as a legislative aide to Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Pfeffer agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify if needed.
The conspiracy took place in 2004 and 2005, years after Mr. Pfeffer had left Mr. Jefferson's office, according to the authorities.
Mr. Pfeffer said in court that a congressman had solicited his assistance in promoting business opportunities in Nigeria and Ghana. The congressman demanded 5 percent to 7 percent of the newly formed African companies in exchange for his help promoting the deal, Mr. Pfeffer said.
Mr. Pfeffer's lawyer, Paul Knight, declined to comment.
Court records give no indication how much money Mr. Jefferson stood to receive.
The F.B.I. raided Mr. Jefferson's home in August.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to the House in 1990, becoming the first black congressman from Louisiana since Reconstruction.
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