Permanent Disbarment Proposed for Convicted Former Congressman

Former Congressman William Jefferson deserves permanent disbarment, according to a recent report by the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board.

The board quoted the hearing committee report

The Committee, after due consideration and review of the appropriate rules and jurisprudence, concludes that disbarment is the necessary sanction in this case. The question then presented is whether or not the upward deviation to permanent disbarment is also the appropriate sanction. Of particular importance in this determination is the application of Guideline 7 of Appendix E of Rule XIX. That guideline provides specifically that malfeasance in office which results in a felony conviction, and which involves fraud, warrants the upward deviation to permanent disbarment. It seems rather obvious that Respondent’s activities leading to his multiple convictions, despite his pleas in the defense of the criminal complaints which assert otherwise, his activities were indeed carried out from or in his position as a United States Congressman. The Committee feels that permanent disbarment is the appropriate sanction.

The board agreed. (Mike Frisch)