Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty

Congressman answers federal corruption charges with pledge to 'fight my heart out'
By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 8, 2007 12:13 PM CDT
Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty
Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who earlier this week was indicted for bribery and corruption, arrives at federal court in Alexandria, Va., Friday, June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)

In his first public appearance since being indicted Monday, Rep. William Jefferson pleaded not guilty in federal court in this morning. The Louisiana Democrat, facing a laundry list of charges including bribery, racketeering, and obstruction of justice, then held a press conference in which he reeled off his family's achievements and called on his constituents to "keep an open mind."

Jefferson touched on the US attorney firings in his remarks, suggesting that the investigation was politically motivated. He was released on bond and ordered to turn over his passport and receive approval for any travel outside the Washington area and Louisiana. His assets have been frozen, and the House is expanding an ongoing ethics investigation to include this week's charges. (More William Jefferson stories.)

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