Ex-congressman on trial over freezer cash, bribery
2009-06-16

Category Money Laundering Extortion Bribery Nations U.S. City New Orleans States Louisiana Category Regions County Orleans Parish Metropolitan Greater New Orleans Source (AP)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Opening statements are scheduled in the trial of a former Louisiana congressman charged with bribery after federal agents found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

The case is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Va.

William Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes, racketeering, money laundering and other crimes. Jefferson represented parts of New Orleans until losing re-election last year.

Prosecutors say he received more than $500,000 and sought millions more for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.

Jefferson has pleaded not guilty. He has said he has an explanation for the cash that agents found in the freezer in his Washington home in August 2005.

A jury of eight women and four men was selected last week.