William Jennings Jefferson By eugeniem Mar 14, 1947 Born In Lake Providence LA Period: Mar 14, 1947 to Nov 14, 2009 William Jennings Jefferson Source watch Nov 22, 1982 First unsuccessful run for Mayor of New Orleans LA against Ernest Morial Nov 8, 1985 Second unsuccessful run for Mayor Of New Orleans against Sidney Barthelemy Nov 14, 1990 First black man elected to Congress from LA since the Reconstruction Nov 10, 1999 Unsusccessful run For governor of LA against Murphy Foster. Apr 10, 2001 Becomes member of powwerful Ways and Means Committee and eventually sponsors Clean Diamond Act Jul 8, 2001 Fails to Report three trips to Botswana May 20, 2006 Warrant to search Jefferson's Congressional office Nov 14, 2009 Found guilty -- sentenced to prison