Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) pled not guilty today to 16 federal charges related to 11 separate bribery schemes.
Video of Jefferson saying: “Im going to fight my heart out to clear my name,” is on the way.
Jefferson’s case became famous when federal investigators found nearly $100,000 in cash in his freezer. He allegedly took the money from an FBI informant in a scheme to bribe a Nigerian official.
The judge has set a trial date for Jan. 16, 2008.
Late Update: Here’s Jefferson speaking for the first time following the indictments: