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Indictment Looms Over New Orleans Recovery

U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson, a democrat from Louisiana, has been indicted on 16 corruption charges. Jefferson is seen here in a February 2007 Capitol Hill photo.
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U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson, a democrat from Louisiana, has been indicted on 16 corruption charges. Jefferson is seen here in a February 2007 Capitol Hill photo.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to open an ethics investigation of Congressman William Jefferson. The move comes a day after the Louisiana Democrat was indicted on 16 corruption charges. Jefferson, currently serving his eighth term, stands accused of soliciting millions of dollars in bribes.

Jefferson represents Louisiana's second congressional district, which includes much of the New Orleans area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. His community still struggles to recover from the effects of the hurricane, with city and state officials actively seeking federal help for the recovery. But the indictment raises questions about Jefferson's ability to effectively champion those efforts, and to lead his district in other pressing matters. Tell Me More obtained an exclusive statement from Jefferson to NPR, in response to the looming questions.

Bill Walsh, correspondent for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and community activist Monique Harden discuss Jefferson and the future of his district.

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