3 Jefferson relatives plead innocent

NEW ORLEANS, June 21 (UPI) -- Three relatives of indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., have pleaded innocent to charges they ripped off three charities they founded.

Mose Jefferson; his sister, 4th District Assessor Betty Jefferson; and her daughter, Angela Coleman all entered pleas at an arraignment hearing Friday, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported. They are accused of skimming more than $600,000 from three non-profit groups.

U.S. Magistrate Louis Moore told the trio to avoid any contact with Brenda Foster, who pleaded guilty Wednesday. Foster, who also goes by the name Brenda Jefferson, is a sibling of the congressman, as well as Mose and Betty Jefferson.

The magistrate set trial for Aug. 18 before U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle.

Congressman Jefferson announced Thursday he will run for re-election to a 10th term this fall. He faces trial in Virginia in December on 16 bribery-related counts.