In the ongoing saga surrounding Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), the 4th Circuit Appeals court ruled against Jefferson today, refusing to throw out most of the 16 charges against him.

A familiar face here on the Paid for by... blog, embattled Rep. William Jefferson's (D-LA) political fortunes survived another day and he'll head to a runoff against Helena Moreno on November 4th.

Quarterly fundraising reports for federal races were due Tuesday, so the next round of fundraising/fund-racing stories is coming out. Of particular interest, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) continues to raise big bucks from the usual corporate interests, and Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) hits up the members of his family who haven't been indicted for campaign cash.

Sibling rivalry rears it's ugly head. Perhaps jealous of all the attention his indicted brother Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) was getting, Mose Jefferson has gone and gotten himself charged with bribing a school official into purchasing millions in equipment from a company Jefferson worked for. Interesting to note, as USA Today does, the millions in earmarks to the company that made the stuff Mr. Jefferson sold. What a small, small world.

Rep. William "Bank of My Freezer" Jefferson's (D-LA) attempt to get the bribery case against him thrown out has failed.  While he could appeal the decision his trial is still set to go ahead, although it's February 25th start date might get pushed back.  Jefferson attempted to argue that testimony in a grand jury hearing that produced indictments against him had made improper use of protected speech.

An appellate court decision on the constitutionality of a search of Rep. William Jefferson's office in connection with a bribery investigation may significantly hamper investigations into other members of Congress. The court's ruling may prevent the future use of wiretapping, staff interviews, and office searches.