A former Louisiana congressman’s brother has asked a federal judge to dismiss the racketeering conspiracy case against him, his girlfriend and relatives, calling it a politically motivated prosecution.
Arthur Lemann III, one of Mose Jefferson’s lawyers, claimed in court papers Monday that the case against his client is fueled by “the high tide of the public outrage” over the separate corruption charges against his brother, former Rep. William Jefferson. The ex-congressman’s trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten didn’t immediately return a call for comment Monday.
Mose Jefferson was indicted last month, accused of conspiring to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money for charitable causes and educational programs.
MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, AP
