FEC: La. congressman filed campaign report late

27 Aug 2008 // Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson, under federal indictment on bribery charges, could face a fine for filing a required campaign finance report two days after deadline that shows his re-election campaign is $250,000 in debt, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

Facing a Monday deadline, Jefferson's campaign filed its campaign finance report on Wednesday, said Mary Brandenberger, an FEC spokeswoman in Washington, D.C.

The New Orleans Democrat has six challengers in a Sept. 6 Democratic primary. His campaign did not return calls to comment on the FEC report.

Jefferson's finance report shows his campaign raised $22,100 over the past six weeks, with $108,876 in the bank but $256,513 in debts. Those contributing included fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus, U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks, D-New York, Donald Payne, D-New Jersey, and Diane Watson, D-Calif.

Jefferson was indicted last year on charges of soliciting more than $500,000 in bribes while using his office to broker business deals in Africa. He has pleaded not guilty and has a tentative trial date of Dec. 2.

Jefferson is seeking his 10th term in Congress. His primary opponents include Troy Carter, a former New Orleans City Council member; former TV news reporter Helena Moreno; Byron Lee, a member of the Jefferson Parish Council; James Carter, a New Orleans city councilman; state Rep. Cedric Richmond, of New Orleans; and Kenya Smith, a former aide to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

FEC reports showed these fundraising totals for the other Democrats:

_$205,950 for Lee, including a $60,000 loan from the candidate.

_$197,083 for Richmond, including a $100,000 loan from the candidate.

_$166,875 for James Carter.

_$64,800 for Moreno, with $50,500 in loans from the candidate.

_$45,668 for Troy Carter, including $35,550 in loans from the candidate.

Smith did not file a report, according to the FEC. Congressional candidates are not required to file if they have spent or raised less than $5,000 during an election cycle, Brandenberger said.

An independent, a Republican and a Green Party candidate will also be on the general election ballot in November.