Judge Refuses to Dismiss Bribery Charges Against Rep. Jefferson

From the Frontrunner The Hill (5/29, Crabtree) reports, "A federal judge has refused to dismiss bribery charges against Rep. William Jefferson." The defense motion "argued that Jefferson didn't do anything in his capacity as a congressman that could be considered a bribe." However, US District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III "ruled that bribery charges could be brought even if the activity in question doesn't appear to fit into 'responsibilities assigned by law.' He said it is up to the jury to decide whether Jefferson's promotion or advocacy of certain business projects to the politicians in the African countries and the travel associated with that are related to his duties as a congressman."  The AP (5/29, Barakat) says Elliss "refused to toss out a bribery indictment against" Rep. William Jefferson "who argued that his alleged misdeeds were technically more akin to influence peddling than bribery." Prosecutors allege that Jefferson "received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa." Ellis ruled that prosecutors "can broadly interpret what constitutes an 'official act' under the law, but they will have to prove at trial that a congressman's customary duties include using his influence to lobby federal agencies."