Feds seek 30 year sentence for William Jefferson
Federal prosecutors are seeking the harshest prison sentence ever handed out to a member of Congress for former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), arguing that his “stunning betrayal of public trust” warrants what could be a life sentence for the long-time lawmaker.
The Justice Department is asking a federal judge in Alexandria, Va, to lock up Jefferson, 62, for up to 33 years, according to documents filed by prosecutors on Friday.
That is far longer than the eight-year sentence given to former Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) when he was sentenced in March 2006 for taking more than $2.4 million in bribes, as well as tax evasion and fraud.