Friday, December 01, 2006
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. William Jefferson, the Louisiana Democrat hampered by bribery allegations and facing a runoff election December 9, sharply criticized his opponent, Karen Carter, in a new campaign ad for 'shamefully' exploiting the accusations.
"I have never taken a bribe from anyone," Jefferson said in the commercial. "This is a desperate attempt by an ambitious young woman.
Jefferson finished ahead of Carter, also a Democrat, in the November 7 election, but Louisiana law stipulates the top two finishers face a runoff election if no one wins over half of the votes.
The FBI is currently conducting an investigation that alleges Jefferson accepted $100,000 from a telecommunications businessman -- $90,000 of which was later recovered in the congressman's freezer.
-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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