The Jefferson Legacy
Unpacking the intricate legal and political saga of Mose Jefferson, a figure central to New Orleans' complex political landscape.
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Background
Early Life and Family Ties
Mose Oliver Jefferson, born August 28, 1942, was a prominent member of the influential Jefferson family in New Orleans, notably the elder brother of former U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson.[1] His early life began in Lake Providence, Louisiana, before he relocated to Chicago, Illinois, to join his older sister, Betty Jefferson. There, he attended Marshall High School, though his formal education was interrupted.
Military Service and Early Legal Encounters
In 1959, Jefferson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving honorably before returning to civilian life. Following his military service, he faced legal challenges, including a conviction for a $450 robbery, which led to a nine-month incarceration at Stateville Correctional Center, from which he was released in 1967.
Entry into Politics
After his release, Mose Jefferson became actively involved in Democratic Party politics. He served as a field lieutenant within the political organization led by brothers Robert Shaw and William Shaw in Illinois. William Shaw notably served in the Illinois Senate from 1982 to 2002, indicating the political environment in which Mose Jefferson honed his skills and influence.[3]
Legal Difficulties
Interconnected Investigations
Mose Jefferson's legal troubles were often intertwined with those of his younger brother, William J. Jefferson, a U.S. Congressman. During William J. Jefferson's 16-indictment trial in July 2009, lead prosecutor Mark Lytle presented a chart illustrating a complex financial flow. This chart depicted money moving from Jigawa State in Nigeria to Arkel Sugar in Baton Rouge for a feasibility study, then to Providence Lake and BEP (companies controlled by Mose Jefferson), and ultimately to Harvard University to cover expenses for Jelani Jefferson, one of the Congressman's daughters.[4]
Public Scrutiny and Media Analysis
Following William J. Jefferson's conviction on 11 of 16 felony counts on August 5, 2009, Mose Jefferson's alleged connections to the criminal behaviors came under intense media scrutiny. Laura Maggi of the Times-Picayune provided an extensive analysis, describing Mose Jefferson as "the man responsible for running the Progressive Democrats street operation," highlighting his significant, albeit often behind-the-scenes, political role.[6]
Initial Trial Scheduling
In 2009, Mose Jefferson was slated to face two separate trials: a racketeering trial initially scheduled for August 3, 2009, and a bribery trial set for August 10. However, this sequence was altered on July 28, 2009, with the bribery trial retaining its August 10 date and the racketeering trial being postponed to January 25, 2010.
Bribery Accusations
The School Board Scheme
Mose Jefferson faced allegations of bribery involving Ellenese Brooks-Simms, then president of the Orleans Parish School Board. He was accused of paying Brooks-Simms $140,000 to secure her support for the adoption of a software-based teaching system that he sold.[7]
Witness Cooperation and Evidence
Upon being apprehended, Brooks-Simms entered into a plea bargain agreement. This involved her testifying against Mose Jefferson, alongside two other witnesses, and cooperating with investigators by recording specific conversations she had with him.[7]
Broader Financial Implications
According to CBS News, the software sale was merely one component of a larger series of schemes. These schemes allegedly saw Brooks-Simms directing $14 million in sales towards a company that, in turn, paid Mose Jefferson $913,000 in commissions.[8]
Racketeering Accusations
RICO Charges and Key Figures
Mose Jefferson was also indicted on racketeering charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These charges implicated him and Renรฉe Gill Pratt, described by columnist Stephanie Grace as Jefferson's "long-time companion" in a relationship "as close as it gets."[9][10] Gill Pratt, a former Louisiana state senator and New Orleans City Council member, was alleged to have played a role in these activities.
Misuse of Government Grants
The indictment asserted that Gill Pratt assisted Mose Jefferson in securing government grants intended for humanitarian causes. These causes were managed by Mose Jefferson, his sister Betty Jefferson, and Betty Jefferson's daughter, Angela Coleman. The core allegation was that the Jeffersons improperly diverted some of these funds for their personal interests. Betty Jefferson and Angela Coleman were also named as defendants in the racketeering trial.[11]
Pre-trial Motions
Requests for Trial Delays
On June 3, 2009, Mose Jefferson sought a postponement of the racketeering trial due to a potential overlap with his bribery trial. While this request was initially made, new charges arraigned on June 5 effectively led to the court-mandated postponement of the racketeering trial.
Defense Attorney Conflicts of Interest
The legal proceedings were complicated by potential conflicts of interest among Mose Jefferson's defense attorneys. U.S. attorney Daniel Friel argued that Arthur "Buddy" Lemann, slated to represent Jefferson in the racketeering case, had a conflict due to his past representation of Stacy Simms, daughter of Ellenese Brooks-Simms. Stacy Simms had assisted her mother in laundering the bribe money and, after a guilty plea, became a prosecution witness. Lemann, who replaced Ike Spears (disqualified for representing Brenda Jefferson Foster, another cooperating witness), vehemently objected to his removal, famously stating, "It's not RICO, it's wacko."[12][13]
Allegations of Political Motivation
On June 8, 2009, Lemann characterized the racketeering case as "a political prosecution initiated by the office of a Republican prosecutor against a minority neighborhood association led by the Jefferson family," requesting its dismissal. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten dismissed these claims as a familiar defense tactic, referencing similar allegations made during the defense of former mayor Marc Morial's administrator, Kerry DeCay.[14]
Indigence Claim Denied
Mose Jefferson's attorneys, Fawer and Lemann, requested that he be declared indigent, citing a government lien on his Loyola Avenue property that prevented them from using it for payment. However, on August 6, 2009, Magistrate Judge Louis Moore Jr. denied the request, noting that Jefferson owned a New Orleans East house used as collateral for his trial bond, suggesting he could forfeit the bond if necessary to pay legal fees.[15]
Further Delay Requests
Throughout June and July 2009, various requests for trial delays were made. While lawyers for Betty Jefferson and Angela Coleman sought to delay the racketeering trial, Gill Pratt and Mose Jefferson initially requested it proceed as scheduled.[16] U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon denied Mose Jefferson's requests to delay the bribery case, including motions to appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and to remove the government lien on his property.[17][18]
Final Trial Scheduling
On July 28, 2009, Judge Lemelle officially delayed the racketeering trial to January 25, 2010. Despite further attempts by Fawer to delay the bribery trial until after the racketeering case, citing Gill Pratt's unavailability to testify, Judge Lemmon denied these motions on August 4, ensuring the bribery trial would commence as planned.[19][20]
Venue Change Denied
On August 7, 2009, Fawer requested a change of venue for the bribery trial from New Orleans, arguing that "the trial atmosphere has been utterly corrupted by ongoing media coverage" of William J. Jefferson's conviction. Judge Lemmon, however, issued a two-sentence denial, asserting that jury selection questions would adequately address any potential prejudice from news coverage.[21]
Bribery Trial
Jury Selection and Opening Statements
Jury selection for Mose Jefferson's bribery trial commenced on August 10, 2009, with Judge Lemmon once again denying a defense request for a venue change. By the end of the day, a 12-member jury, comprising six women and six men, along with two female alternates, had been selected.[22] The trial officially began on August 11, with starkly contrasting narratives presented by the prosecution and defense regarding the $140,000 payment to Ellenese Brooks-Simms.
Defense Strategy and Key Witnesses
Defense attorney Mike Fawer contended that Brooks-Simms' testimony was coerced by the government and that FBI-recorded conversations would support the defense's claim that the $140,000 was a gift or loan, given her husband's expensive medical costs. Fawer also announced plans to call Mose Jefferson himself to testify, along with former Republican U.S. Representative Bob Livingston, head of The Livingston Group lobbying firm, which represented JRL Enterprises, a contractor for the "I CAN LEARN" program.[23] The prosecution, in turn, called Paul Cambon, a former congressional aide to Livingston, who testified about monthly retainers received by The Livingston Group from JRL Enterprises.[24]
Conflicting Testimonies and Characterizations
On August 18, Mose Jefferson testified under oath, directly contradicting Brooks-Simms by characterizing her as a former lover and the $140,000 as a gift. While Brooks-Simms claimed their relationship began in 1999, Jefferson asserted it started in the 1980s.[25] The following day, former Orleans Parish schools superintendent Tony Amato testified in support of the "I CAN LEARN" program. However, much of the day's proceedings revolved around the nature of the relationship between Jefferson and Brooks-Simms, with minister Zebedee Bridges testifying to an adulterous affair in the 1980s, a claim vehemently denied by Brooks-Simms' attorney, Ralph Capitalli.[26]
Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberation
Before the case went to the jury on August 20, 2009, the defense called Bob Livingston as a witness, attempting to draw parallels between his lobbying activities and Mose Jefferson's involvements.[27] Fawer repeatedly argued that the $140,000 payment could only be a gift, as Brooks-Simms and other school board members already supported the "I CAN LEARN" program. Federal prosecutor Sal Perricone, however, dismissed these arguments as "sideshows," asserting that "This case is about payoffs and rewards." At 6:00 PM on August 20, Judge Lemmon ordered the jury sequestered to deliberate on the charges against Mose Jefferson.[28]>
Verdict & Aftermath
Bribery Trial Verdict
On the morning of August 21, 2009, the jury returned its verdicts, finding Mose Jefferson guilty on four of the seven felony counts. As reported by WDSU-TV New Orleans Channel 6 (NBC), the specific verdicts were:[29]>
- Count 1โConspiracy to commit bribery: Not guilty
- Count 2โBribery of an agent (Brooks-Simms) of an organization seeking federal funding: Guilty
- Count 3โBribery of an agent (Brooks-Simms) of an organization seeking federal funding: Guilty
- Count 4โBribery of an agent (Brooks-Simms) of an organization seeking federal funding: Not guilty
- Count 5โMoney laundering: Not guilty
- Count 6โObstruction of justice: Guilty
- Count 7โObstruction of justice: Guilty
Sentencing and Forfeiture
Sentencing by Judge Lemmon was scheduled for December 9, 2009, with Mose Jefferson remaining free on personal surety bond in the interim.[30] The court also ruled that Mose Jefferson forfeited the $100,000 paid to Brooks-Simms, directly related to counts 2 and 3. The charge in count 4 was dismissed because Brooks-Simms had already left the school board at the time of that specific payment.[30]>
Racketeering Trial and Passing
Mose Jefferson's racketeering trial eventually commenced on March 22, 2010. However, his legal journey concluded with his passing in 2011 in Lake Providence, Louisiana, due to cancer. His death brought an end to the ongoing legal proceedings against him.[31]>
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References
References
- See William J. Jefferson#Indictment and trial for details and sources.
- See the Livingston Group.
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