Judge Freezes Assets of Rep. Jefferson
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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge yesterday froze the assets of Rep. William Jefferson, the Louisiana Democrat who was indicted this week on charges of soliciting bribes.
A forfeiture charge is among the 16 criminal counts Mr. Jefferson is facing. Prosecutors have already said they will seek to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars from Mr. Jefferson that they believe he obtained illicitly by peddling his influence to help broker business deals in Africa. Mr. Jefferson is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court.
The restraining order issued yesterday by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III lists two savings accounts with Dryades Savings Bank and Chevy Chase Bank with a combined value of more than $470,000, plus certain stock holdings that Mr. Jefferson is barred from liquidating.
