New Orleans strategist gets new lawyer

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- New Orleans political strategist Mose Jefferson says high-profile lawyer Michael Fawer will represent him in his bribery trial.

Fawer is no stranger to political circles and counts former Gov. Edwin Edwards and Jefferson's brother, Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., among his clients, the New Orleans Times-Picayune said Tuesday.

Mose Jefferson faces trials in December for allegedly taking part in a charity skim and in March for allegedly bribing the New Orleans Parish school board president.

The Times-Picayune said Jefferson's previous attorney, Ike Spears, has been disqualified from both cases because he also represents Jefferson's sister Brenda Foster, who pleaded guilty in the charity case and will testify against her brother in both trials.

Arthur "Buddy" Lehman III will represent Jefferson in the charity-fraud trial.