US lawmaker pleads not guilty to bribery charges

ALEXANDRIA, Va, June 8 (Reuters) US Democratic Rep William Jefferson, accused of hiding 90,000 dollar in bribe money in his freezer, pleaded not guilty today to making and taking illegal payoffs in exchange for helping arrange business deals in Africa.

In court, a lawyer for the Louisiana lawmaker entered a not guilty plea to all 16 counts charging him with racketeering, soliciting bribes, fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

US District Judge T S Ellis set a trial date of Jan 16, 2008, for Jefferson, a member of Congress since 1991 whose district includes New Orleans.

REUTERS CDP RK2035