Mose Jefferson, the brother of indicted U.S. Representative William Jefferson, was indicted today on federal charges including bribery and money laundering, stemming from payoffs allegedly made to a former president of the New Orleans school board.

The alleged recipient of the bribes is Ellenese Brooks-Simms, who already has pleaded guilty in the case. Last June she admitted taking about $140,000 in bribes from a then-unidentified businessman.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten confirmed that Mose Jefferson, a top strategist and adviser for his brother, is accused of being the source of the money -- an alleged bribe for Brooks-Simms' help in winning school board approval of a contract for a computer-based teaching system.

Mose Jefferson worked for the software company when the sales took place in 2003 and 2004. He made $1 million in commissions.

Letten says the indictment strikes at the heart of the corruption which as plagued and sometimes severely impaired the democratic and educational institutions.

“We’re going to stay the course, leave no stone unturned, maintain a hostile environment for any businessman, businesswoman or public official or anyone who purports to be a public servant who would breach the public trust in an attempt to pray on our public institutions,” Letten said.

Added FBI special agent James Bernazzani, “Momentum is on our side. We have corruption on the run.”

The charges faced by Mose Jefferson have no apparent relation to the charges against William Jefferson, who faces trial in Alexandria, Virginia, in a bribery case.

Stacy Simms, Ellenese Brooks-Simms’ daughter, already has pleaded guilty, as has Norco businessman Burnell Moliere, in connection with helping to funnel the bribe money.

Mose Jefferson faces seven counts and could face up to 65 years behind bars, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in fine.

He was not in court Wednesday, and his first appearance is expected to be next week.

WWL-TV reporter Rob Nelson contributed to this report