Q: Former U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson of Louisiana was sentenced in November 2009 to 13 years in prison for corruption. What’s the status of his conviction and in what prison is he serving his time?
—Ronald Green, Newnan
A: Jefferson is free, pending resolution of his appeal, Bruce Alpert, the reporter who covers the case for The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, told Q&A on the News in an email. He said oral arguments in Jefferson's appeal are expected to be heard in December by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. The former nine-term New Orleans Democratic congressman was convicted in August 2009, but his appeal has been repeatedly delayed. At first, it was due to the inability of the court reporter to complete the lengthy trial transcript. The second time, it was because Jefferson's appellate attorney was undergoing treatment for cancer and it was delayed again when the appellate judges had scheduling issues, Alpert wrote.
Q: During the past 40 years, a number of college football teams have had undefeated and untied seasons but they did not win the national championship. Please name them and the years when they were denied.
—Jack M. Reid, Acworth
A: Arizona State, Arkansas State, Dartmouth, Toledo (1970); Toledo (1971); Louisiana Tech (1972); Penn State, Miami of Ohio (1973); Arizona State, Arkansas State (1975); Rutgers (1976); Auburn (1993); Penn State (1994); Tulane (1998); Marshall (1999); Auburn, Utah (2004); Boise State (2006); Utah (2008); Boise State (2009); Texas Christian (2010).
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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