Jefferson Indictment Upheld by Fourth Circuit Court.
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the indictment of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), clearing the way for the case to go to trial. Rep. Jefferson had sought dismissal of the indictment on the grounds that it was obtained in violation of the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which prohibits the use of legislative material against a member of Congress. The Court of Appeals rejected Rep. Jefferson’s argument, finding that the government can prosecute the case without referencing constitutionally protected legislative material.
CREW’s executive director Melanie Sloan stated, “While the Constitution protects members of Congress from having evidence of their legislative actions used against them, the Speech or Debate Clause was never intended to allow members of Congress to evade prosecution for criminal acts. The Constitution also entitles a criminal defendant to a speedy trial and we are looking forward to seeing Rep. Jefferson receive one.”
Read the Fourth Circuit's decision below.
Click Here to read the 4th Circuit Court's Opinion on the Jefferson Case
Click Here to read CREW's 06/06/08 Amicus Brief on the Jefferson Case
Click Here to read the Response from House Counsel
Click Here to read CREW's Letter to House Leadership
Click Here to read the DC District Courts Opinion on the Jefferson Case
Click Here to read the Jefferson Indictment
Click Here to read CREW's 04/06/07 Amicus Brief in the Jefferson Case
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact David Merchant at 202.408.5565 or dmerchant@citizensforethics.org
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