A lawyer for a former Louisiana congressman charged with taking bribes says the $90,000 in cash found in his freezer is evidence of nothing more than a failed FBI sting.

William Jefferson, a Democrat who represented parts of New Orleans, is accused of soliciting bribes, racketeering, money laundering and other crimes. Prosecutors say he received more than $500,000 and sought millions more in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.

In opening statements Tuesday in U.S. District Court, defense lawyer Robert Trout told jurors that Jefferson may have acted unethically, but not illegally.

Earlier in the day, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Lytle said Jefferson was more than $60,000 in debt and suggested that may have motivated him to seek bribes.