ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILES
Decrypting documents...
Your connection is being monitored
Back to Individuals
high risk
William Jefferson
Former U.S. Representative (D-LA-2)
Congressman found with $90,000 in cash hidden in his freezer during an FBI bribery investigation, convicted on 11 of 16 corruption counts
Overview
William Jennings Jefferson served as a U.S. Representative from Louisiana from 1991 to 2009. In August 2005, FBI agents raided Jefferson's home and discovered $90,000 in cash wrapped in aluminum foil and hidden inside frozen food containers in his freezer. The money was part of a $100,000 FBI sting payment. Jefferson was involved in bribery schemes spanning Africa, using his position to broker business deals in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and other countries in exchange for payments to himself and his family. He used his congressional office and official diplomatic trips to promote business ventures in which he had a financial interest. Jefferson was convicted in November 2009 on 11 of 16 counts including bribery, racketeering, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, the longest sentence ever given to a congressman for bribery at that time. His sentence was later reduced to 5.5 years after a Supreme Court ruling narrowed the definition of "official acts."
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
$90,000 in cash found wrapped in foil in freezer during FBI raid
Used congressional office to broker African business deals for personal profit
Used official diplomatic trips to promote ventures where he had financial interest
Convicted on 11 of 16 counts including bribery, racketeering, and money laundering
Sentenced to 13 years - longest sentence ever for congressional bribery at the time
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
5 documented violations
18 U.S.C. 201(b)Bribery - soliciting and receiving bribes for official acts(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1962RICO racketeering conspiracy(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1956Money laundering(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1951Extortion under color of official right (Hobbs Act)(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1512Obstruction of justice(federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Vernon Jackson
Louisville businessman who paid bribes for Jefferson's help
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- March 14, 1947
- Birthplace
- Lake Providence, Louisiana
- Also Known As
- Dollar Bill
Education
- •Southern University (B.A.)
- •Harvard Law School (J.D.)
- •Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M.)
Key Timeline
1991-01
Takes office in U.S. House of Representatives
2005-07-30
FBI videotapes Jefferson accepting $100,000 bribe
2005-08-03
FBI raids home; finds $90,000 in freezer
2007-06-04
Indicted on 16 counts of corruption
2008-12-06
Loses reelection
2009-08-05
Convicted on 11 of 16 counts
2009-11-13
Sentenced to 13 years in federal prison
2017
Released from prison after sentence reduction