FBI Agents Collecting Data From (New Orleans) City Hall Computers as Part of Investigation

The Times-Picayune ^ | June 23, 2009 | David Hammer

[Prole]

FBI agents have been in New Orleans City Hall since Friday collecting data from computer-network servers and backup tapes, according to a city official familiar with the investigation.

Five federal agents have tied up the work of management information systems employees as they comb through the data stored on the servers. The agents are expected to be in City Hall all week, said the source, who wished to remain anonymous because the investigation has not been made public.

The agents came bearing federal subpoenas seeking information and met with Chief Administrative Officer Brenda Hatfield, the source said. City spokeswoman Ceeon Quiett on Tuesday evening stopped just short of denying that a federal subpoena had been served at City Hall. "I can't confirm any of that, " Quiett said. "I checked with Dr. Hatfield and she couldn't confirm any of that account, so I'd check with your source." FBI spokeswoman Special Agent Sheila Thorne declined to comment and U.S. Attorney Jim Letten could not confirm nor deny the investigation. It is unclear what the agents are looking for, although two federal probes that involve the city's technology office have become public.

It is not clear whether the inquiries are connected. As part of a probe into New Orleans' troubled crime camera contracts, the FBI has subpoenaed documents and gathered testimony from city employees and subcontractors who used to work in the technology office. That investigation has intensified recently, with federal prosecutors interviewing witnesses, and FBI agents looking into payments made by tech vendors and their associates to Mayor Ray Nagin's election campaign. Former technology chief Anthony Jones, who is serving a 120-day suspension without pay from his city job, was recently summoned to testify before a federal grand jury.

[Prole]

Mayor Ray Nagin's cronies are currently under the FBI's microscope in a confirmed CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

I wonder what the outcome will be?

[Prole]

Forgot to add one thing!

From the article cited below:

"In the statement released by the Department of Justice just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s office and FBI “confirm that a federal criminal investigation is and has been underway involving the City of New Orleans Office of Technology and crime camera contracts and related matters.”

Source:

http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl062409tpusattorney.2c229c0.html

[ArtyFO]

Nagin sold the technology to the Red Chinese.

[hoosiermama]

Jefferson(s) or Landreau(s) related in any way?

[jonatron]

What ?? Corruption in Chocolate City?

[keving]

I'm sure the FBI has brought in IT professionals and forensic teams to review the computer data, drives, etc. Only to find typewriters, fancy pens and post-its, with buckets of WHITE OUT.