Despite having lived in the Washington, DC area for more than ten years, The Daily Caveat will always remain a proud son of the great state of Louisiana. Unlike what most folks presume about residents of our state, TDC doesn't hail from the bayous of cajun country or from the suburbs of New Orleans like practically every other LA-expat residing in the nation's capital.

No, I'm a north-Louisiana boy, which means we're talking piney woods not cyprus swamps...cotton country, not spanish moss...Baptist brimstone, not Catholic guilt... fried chicken, not etouffee...Louisiana Hayride, not Preservation Hall...and perhaps most importantly, La Tech and definitely not LS(Who?).

While TDC will vehemently defend the overlooked charms of his native-north against the well publicized jewels of Louisiana's south-eastern edges, there is one arena in which I will concede that north Louisiana simply cannot compete against its southern brethern -that being the relative corruption of our elected officials.

Case in point, and please forgive my indulgent preamble (or would that be pre-ramble), federal agents have raided the home of Louisiana Congressman and frequent gubernatorial candidate, William Jefferson (Dem, 2nd District):

Agents raid homes of New Orleans congressman

August 4, 2005
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal authorities are tight-lipped about a two-city raid in which agents searched the Washington and New Orleans homes of a Louisiana congressman, hauling away boxes and bags from one of the residences. The Justice Department refused to say what agents were looking for Wednesday during the searches of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson's homes and vehicle, as well as the office of his longtime financial adviser.

Jefferson, 58, an eight-term Democrat from New Orleans, said in a statement issued by his office that he did "not know the extent or precise nature of this investigation" and said he was cooperating fully.

"There were searches executed today in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation," said Bryan Sierra, a spokesman for the Justice Department. "As it is a criminal investigation we will not be able to comment any further."

Jefferson's office said the congressman was in New Orleans and was not available for further comment. There was no sign he was at his home as FBI agents worked inside for several hours through the afternoon.

Shortly after 5 p.m., at least 15 agents emerged from Jefferson's New Orleans home, 12 of them carrying bags and boxes. Dozens of neighbors stood along the upscale street watching the raid and talking about it. Agents also searched the office of accountant Jack Swetland, who has handled campaign finances for Jefferson.

Jefferson's name surfaced earlier in a case involving his brother-in-law, a former state judge convicted in June of mail fraud in a wide-ranging probe of bail bond corruption in suburban New Orleans...

More bayou-state intrigue can be found in the full article. Josh Marhsall's TalkingPointsMemo also has a clip from a statement released by Jefferson's office. Click on over to check it out.

-- MDT

Labels: Louisiana