US Democratic congressman could soon be charged

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) US Democratic Rep. William Jefferson could be indicted as early as Monday on corruption charges in a probe that included an unprecedented search of his congressional office last year, law enforcement officials said.

The investigation has focused on whether the Louisiana lawmaker used his position to promote the sale of telecommunications equipment and services offered by a Louisville-based firm to Nigeria, Ghana, and possibly other African nations in return for stock and cash payments.

Jefferson has denied any wrongdoing.

The FBI has claimed in court documents it videotaped Jefferson accepting 100,000 dollars cash intended as a bribe for a Nigerian official. The FBI said 90,000 dollars of that money was found hidden in a freezer in Jefferson's house.

The law enforcement officials said an indictment was expected to be returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, most likely later today. They described it as lengthy.

Democrats won control of the US Congress from Bush's Republicans last year, promising to end a ''culture of corruption.'' Most of the scandals that have rocked Capitol Hill in recent years involved Republicans, many of them briberies tied to now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

REUTERS AM KN2323