Former Louisiana congressman convicted of taking bribes will remain free while appealing

Convicted ex-congressman to remain free on appeal

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A former Louisiana congressman who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on bribery charges will be allowed to remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction.

Wednesday’s ruling from a federal judge makes it likely that William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans, will not serve any prison time for at least a year or more.

The 62-year-old was sentenced Friday to the longest prison term ever imposed on a congressman for corruption charges.

The judge said that the legal questions in his case are unsettled enough that an appeals court could decide to overturn the convictions.

Jefferson was the target of an FBI sting in which he was videotaped accepting a briefcase filled with $100,000 cash.