Supreme Court denies DoJ appeal in Jefferson case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday dealt the Justice Department a major blow in its case against Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) in a decision that could make it more difficult for the government to investigate other members of Congress.

{mosads}The Supreme Court denied a Justice Department appeal of a lower court ruling that aspects of the FBI raid on Jefferson’s Rayburn office violated the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.

The clause protects federal lawmakers’ legislative activity from interference by other branches of government.

In its appeal, the Justice Department argued that the lower court had interpreted the clause too broadly, and that, under such an interpretation, Congress members' criminal activity could escape scrutiny and prosecution.