Jefferson may qualify for bankruptcy

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A bankruptcy trustee has determined that former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., may be poor enough to file for bankruptcy under more restrictive new laws.

After Jefferson and his wife, Andrea, reported $30,967 in income a month when they filed for bankruptcy, another trustee found they do not qualify for Chapter 7 under the current federal law. But two trustees in an order Friday said Jefferson's circumstances have changed, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

The couple said they have about $10 million in debts, including $5.7 million owned to Jefferson's defense lawyers. Jefferson, who was defeated in a re-election bid in December 2008, faces years in federal prison following his Aug. 5 conviction on charges including soliciting bribes and money laundering.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 13.