Jefferson bribery trial begins in Va.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 9 (UPI) -- Jury selection in the federal corruption trial of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., began Tuesday in Alexandria, Va., observers said.

Jefferson, 62, faces up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted on charges bribery, racketeering and violation of the Corrupt Foreign Practices Act for allegedly trading on his influence as a long-serving member of Congress to benefit companies owned by his family members, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

Prosecutors say Jefferson demanded and at times received payments for the Louisiana companies in exchange for helping businesses win approval of projects in West African nations. Observers said the trial is expected to last six weeks and include the airing of hundreds of hours of secretly recorded conversations.

Jefferson's lawyers, however, contend his actions were not conducted within the scope of his official duties as a congressman and thus do not meet the legal definition of "public bribery," The Times-Picayune reported.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis has indicated he will ask potential jurors if they know Jefferson or others in the case and then have them fill out a confidential questionnaire.