Supreme Court Denies Review in Congressional Search Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to grant review of a case involving the federal government’s power to search a congressman’s offices.
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson had contended the FBI overstepped when it raided his offices in May 2006, CNN reports. He was later indicted on public corruption charges that included allegations he kept $90,000 in cash in a freezer, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled this summer that the FBI must return privileged legislative documents seized in the raid. Jefferson had contended the search violated the legislative privilege created by the speech or debate clause.
The Justice Department had argued the appeals court ruling would hinder its ability to investigate political corruption, SCOTUSblog reports.
