Jenrette met the operatives in late 1979 and, on tape, told them “I got larceny in my blood.” On 6 December 1979, $50,000 was delivered to his associate John Stowe. The two also discussed $125,000 more in connection with getting Senator Strom Thurmond to introduce a bill. Thurmond was never approached and was never accused of anything. [1][2]
Jenrette lost re-election in November 1980, was convicted, and resigned on 10 December 1980. His appeal argued duress, entrapment, due process and withheld evidence; the D.C. Circuit affirmed in 1984. He served 13 months of a two-year sentence. [2][3][4]
His defense deserves a hearing. He said he had a drinking problem, that the operatives plied him and that the inducement was overwhelming. The courts found he was predisposed. Thurmond is the cautionary tale in the other direction: a name used at a bribe meeting is not evidence against the person named.
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