[SuperScout]

Embattled Rep. William J. Jefferson yesterday said he will not resign his seat as government officials probe his ethical conduct. He apologized to his constituents for having to endure negative headlines and asserted: "I certainly did not sell my office."

The Louisiana Democrat, who has not been charged with a crime, criticized the bribery investigation that already has led to guilty pleas from two of his associates. "I wish to say emphatically that in all of my actions here under scrutiny, that I never intended to dishonor my office, or you, the public, and I certainly did not sell my office," Mr. Jefferson said yesterday in front of his New Orleans district office. [What an intersting choice of words: "I never intended to dishonor my office..." Could he be so naive, stupid, or corrupt as to unintentionally dishonor his office?]

Mr. Jefferson's associates testified the congressman took bribes in exchange for lobbying Nigerian government officials on behalf of IGate, a Louisville, Ky.-based technology firm that wanted to operate a broadband network in Africa. Vernon Jackson, chief executive of IGate, pleaded guilty earlier this month and said he paid Mr. Jefferson more than $400,000 in bribes. He testified that he and Mr. Jefferson made a bribery arrangement lasting more than four years that resulted in at least one government contract.

A former aide of Mr. Jefferson's, Brett Pfeffer, in January pleaded guilty to helping to bribe a public official. The congressman was not named in court documents, but can be clearly identified in them. The records also indicate at least one witness in the case wore a wire when speaking to Mr. Jefferson. [So when are we going to see the indictiments?]

Mr. Jefferson, 59, defended his actions and said the government is portraying the facts in the "worst possible light." [Uhhh, EARTH to Mr. JEFFERSON: if the government is presenting the facts, it is them - the facts - that place you in the 'worst possible light.' Dont blame the government for your corruption.]