CREW RELEASES STATEMENT ON REP. JEFFERSON VERDICT

5 Aug 2009 // Washington, D.C. - Today’s verdict confirms what CREW has known to be true all along, former Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) conduct was not merely shady, as his attorneys argued, but was downright illegal. Accepting Mr. Jefferson’s argument that requiring those who asked him to use his official position to facilitate deals in Africa to cut him in on those deals was not bribery would have left members of Congress free to sell their services to the highest bidder.

The American public has a right to expect members of Congress to focus on the people’s interest, not their own interests, while serving in government. Today’s verdict reinforces that ideal.