Mose Jefferson defense begins at trial

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Defense attorneys for the brother of former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., say the case for Mose Jefferson in a New Orleans court will be a long one.

Attorney Michael Fawer began his defense of Mose Jefferson Monday by telling jurors he will call many witnesses, including Jefferson himself, to defend against charges he bribed a former Orleans Parish School Board member, The (New Orleans) Times Picayune reported.

Fawer called three former school board members as witnesses Monday, as well as former U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston, R-La., who once procured a congressional "earmark" for a program Jefferson was backing, the newspaper said.

Mose Jefferson, the older brother of William Jefferson, has admitted giving money to former Orleans Parish School Board member Ellenese Brooks-Simms, but claims it wasn't a bribe but merely aid for a friend who was short of cash.

William Jefferson was convicted this month on 11 of 16 counts of public corruption leveled at him by federal prosecutors, the newspaper said.