AP
Just when you thought it was safe for Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson to peer around the corner, trouble once again kicks him right in his French Quarter.
This time it's the rough sea of African politics, and the embattled lawmaker has been linked to a scandal involving a former diamond executive in Botswana. The executive, Louis Goodwill Nchindo, who served as the managing director of Debswana, one of the country's most powerful diamond companies, is charged with illegally spending Debswana funds to host Jefferson and fraudulently trying to use his position to obtain public land.
At the time of Jefferson's trips in 2001 and 2002, he was fighting in Congress to knock off legislation against "blood diamonds," which are African gems obtained through conditions of war, torture or captivity.
Now you may remember Jefferson, who represents much of New Orleans in Congress, is in federal court over a corruption case in which he was allegedly keeping $90,000 in bribery money in his freezer. What's more is prosecutors say that money comes from bribes to support business ventures in both the U.S. and West Africa.
The thing about this is Jefferson has served as part of the Africa Trade Caucus in Congress, but he's trying to block anti-blood diamond legislation. If you ever get a chance to study this, blood (or conflict) diamonds, are among the most horrific phenomena in Africa. We're talking about children having their limbs hacked off so that you can walk around blinged out. We're talking about devastating regional wars being fought so that you can floss your ice.
Debswana is a joint venture between the DeBeers Company and the Botswanan government. But DeBeers has spent years trying to do PR (or maybe damage control), and distance themselves from the stones. That a former Debswana executive was trying to water down anti-blood diamond legislation in the states should raise at least a few red flags.
And after all this, Jefferson still keeps getting elected.
Check out his voting record over a ten year period and tell me if you think he should still represent the people of N'awlins, especially as vulnerable as they are these days.
Comments: (18)
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By: 2Blessed on 1/24/2008 10:00AM
Why are all of the women standing by these dumb, crazy men?? What a HOT MESS!!!
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By: Cedrick on 1/24/2008 11:17AM
My brothers and sisters, please be causious of your position on this matter and its tone. Our Governments history on covert operations here and abroad with our very own FBI, CIA, against our civil rights leaders, our champions for the cause like Hughey P. Newton, Fred Hamption, Patrice Lamumba of Jamica, Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Louis Farrahkan and the list goes on all who where either killed or slandererd by this government in the public opinion forum before they where brought down. Lets not be so easily fooled, or believe what they always say in thier newspapers, thier tv, and thier media. How many black people do you know who will put money in the Freezer? Now if they would have said the mattress or the cookie jar maybe more believable. Thier is always more to it behind the seens, but this will only come out in the trial and not in the public. Wait for the facts to come out.
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By: www.cedrickspeaks.com on 2/20/2008 4:18PM
Brothers and sisters, In this country our struggles and oppression is no secret, however my allegence is not with the oppressor either. This brother is in a position to review, evaluate policy here and abroad and especially in Africa where white folks from the USA, Brtian, France, Iseral and god knows how many more europeon companies are becoming rich at the expense of the poor and black people in Africa while they lie cheat, steal and murder us in the name of Democrocy or War on Terror. They are the bandits and thieves and murders. Its oil in Iraq now, its oil in Iran, Its oil and dimonds and thousands more of minerals in Africa that they need. It was Great Brit first, the French, the Dutch, the Portugese, and Spain, I ask you has it changed? They colonialized Africa when they stole us from our homeland and they are still doing it today all over the world. This brotha, probally wanted to tip the scale back into the hands of the people who are suffering and dying in Africa and change legislation to help them, nowe they want to punish him.
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By: J. Rich on 1/24/2008 8:59PM
Please continue to educate us Bro. Cedrick. We are so gullable here in the U.S that we believe everything the news media tells us. Africa is rich with all resources, the U.S just don't want you to know that. This country will find a way to be friends with Africa (in the near future)only to deceieve them and try to gain control of their resources. My point is, don't trust the media about everything you hear. take for instance, Bill Clinton dozing in service on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Holiday...who cares. They just want to discredit any one they don't care for. Let's talk about real issues. Gas prices, property tax increases, minimum wages, and foreclosures at an alarming rate.
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By: Henry Ballard Sr. on 1/25/2008 10:26AM
Here again, ignorance reigns supreme. Bill Clinton was not sleeping or napping.They doctored the film or tape to discredit him because he helps black people.
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By: Henry Ballard Sr. on 1/25/2008 10:26AM
Al Sharpton is a fraud. go to "tawana brawley" on the internet and see for yourself.
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By: Henry Ballard Sr. on 1/25/2008 10:48AM
Huey P. Long was another lawmaker for New Orleans, he was very corrupt. research Huey P. Long.
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By: R. Leland Smith on 1/25/2008 1:26PM
When politicians take an office they must choose who they are there to serve!...When they realize the futility of their efforts...they often become self-serving!.... Deceptions and greed are very inticing for many! ...... Let them be wary of both!....Covert operators are also out for self-gains..so better be careful! ... You shall reap what you sow!...OK???
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By: Fee-Fee on 1/25/2008 8:35PM
Cedrick and J. Speaks. Over there in Africa, they have blacks killilng blacks and everyone, including citizens of the United States as well as other countries, sit back and watches but does NOTHING to stop the killing. Whether it's over diamonds that were dug out of the mud or over religion, I don't see anyone sending troops over to stop the ethnic cleansing of Dafur or the killing in heinous murders in Solia. You can't sit there and blame EVERYTHING on the United States government and "the man". If you think it's our government, then you need to address your local and state politians on the issue and stop throwing blame. Because as easily as you can say, "our government is not trustworth" you can easily arrange a group protest against our President who hasn't done a #$%! thing in 8 years but bring this country down fighting over oil which is why the citizens of Dafur are dying.
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By: DaBehr on 1/26/2008 9:42AM
Get a grip people. The new majority in New Orleans are systematically trying to reduce the political power of our Black politicians. They continue to blast Jefferson, Nagin and Derrick Sheppard, a promising, up and coming politician. They have been successful in reducing our numbers, spirits and family connections. With strong, intelligent brothers, like the ones mentioned, my hometown will be white-washed. The only roles we will have will be to empty Mister Charles' chamber pot. Jefferson is a very intellegent man, I think Harvard educated. He is too smart to freeze money in his own freezer. It sounds like a Mark Furman like set-up to me. Who else but a back-woods, Louisiana, Cajun, in-bred would think to freeze and plant money in someones home. Ya Feel me Cha? Even Tony Soprano used a planting box in his backyard. Senator Jefferson is a tireless fighter for all the people of Louisiana. That is why he continues to be re-elected. Don't be fooled by the Mardi Gras Mask Marraders, they still cover their faces and some still use bed sheets.
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