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So $90,000 Was in the Freezer. What's Wrong With That?

Rep. William J. Jefferson speaks at a news conference, where he declined to answer questions about the bribery allegations surrounding him.
Rep. William J. Jefferson speaks at a news conference, where he declined to answer questions about the bribery allegations surrounding him. "There are certainly two sides to this story," he told reporters. (By Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)
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In his defiance, Jefferson seems to be following the model of former representative James Traficant (D-Ohio), who after his conviction for bribery and before his expulsion from the House in 2002 told his colleagues, "I didn't break any law."

Like Jefferson, then-Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), under investigation last year over a home purchase and a yacht, at first tried the Traficant Model. "I have acted honorably and honestly," he proclaimed. Eventually the Duke-stir admitted to a vast bribery scheme involving a defense contractor. "Now I know great shame," he said tearfully.

Jefferson is vying with Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) to be the most defiant member of Congress in the face of a criminal probe. In a plea agreement, a former longtime Ney aide ensnared in the Jack Abramoff scandal alleged that the Abramoff team gave Ney and his aides free and discounted trips to various vacation spots and received help for clients. "I haven't done anything wrong," is Ney's view.

But Jefferson upstaged Ney in the defiance competition with his news conference yesterday. Jefferson said he planned to run for reelection. Further, he added in all modesty, "I have been extraordinarily effective."

A PBS reporter asked Jefferson if he would "concede that it does not look good."

"I can't talk about the facts of the matter with respect to whether things look good or don't look good," the congressman replied.

Fox's Jim Mills tried a different tack: "If you did not take a $100,000 bribe, why not just say it now?"

"I simply will decline to answer," Jefferson replied, displaying the cool of a man who keeps his cash in the freezer.


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