Frozen Assets: The corruption trial of former Rep. William Jefferson kicked off yesterday by offering an answer to why the Louisiana Democrat had $90,000 in his freezer. The BLT's Jordan Weissmann reports that Jefferson's lawyer Robert Trout, name partner of Trout Cacheris, told the jury the money was being hidden from Jefferson's housekeeper while he was out of town.
But It's Just Eavesdropping: The National Security Agency is under the congressional microscope again for its domestic surveillance program, The New York Times reports. Critics say its recent intercepts of the private telephone calls and e-mail messages of Americans are broader than previously acknowledged.
Senator Sex Scandal: In the latest Washington sex scandal, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) admitted yesterday to having a months-long affair with a former campaign staff member who is married to one of the lawmaker's former legislative aides. No word yet on what the affair will mean for Ensign's political future. He doesn't face reelection until 2012, but The Washington Post reports that he had begun the customary steps for exploring a White House run that year.
Fed Benefits for Gay Couples: The Associated Press reports that President Obama plans to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. The move comes after Obama drew fire for failing to seek an end to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Sentencing Time: John Houldsworth was sentenced to two years of probation yesterday for his role in an accounting scandal that cost AIG shareholders more than $500 million. Houldsworth, the former chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway's General Re, had faced up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines under the plea deal, The Associated Press reports via Law.com.
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