Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Businessman Pleads to Bribing Congressman

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A technology executive pleaded guilty Wednesday to paying more than $400,000 in bribes to a congressman in charges stemming from an investigation of Rep. William Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat.

Vernon Jackson, 53, chief executive of the Louisville, Ky.-based telecommunications firm iGate Inc., admitted to bribery of a public official and conspiracy to bribe a public official during a plea hearing in U.S. District Court.

Court records make clear that the congressman whom Jackson admits bribing is Jefferson, who represents New Orleans in the House. The documents refer only to "Representative A."

The congressman has not been charged. He denies any wrongdoing and his office has said he is cooperating with investigators.

Jackson faces a maximum of 20 years when he is sentenced July 27. The plea agreement calls for a sentencing guideline range not to exceed seven to nine years in prison, but the judge is not bound by that.

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