A federal judge overseeing the criminal trial of ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) dismissed one juror from the case on Thursday, the Times-Picayune reported.According to the New Orleans newspaper, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis dismissed one juror from the trial, citing only “valid reasons— for the decision. One of the four alternate jurors, who have also been attending the trial, will be tapped to join the 12-member jury. The newspaper did not identify the juror, and no information was immediately available from court records.Jefferson is alleged to have violated federal law by offering and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to promote business ventures in West African nations. He has denied wrongdoing in the case.