Posted on 02/17/2011 2:38:12 AM PST by abb
An attorney for former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard said Wednesday he received a target letter describing charges that the federal government is pursuing against his client.
Julian Murray said the letter, delivered to his Metairie office, lists wire fraud, a conspiracy charge and a third charge relating to misuse of federal money.
Broussard's ex-wife, Karen Parker, also received a target letter, her attorney, David Courcelle, confirmed. Some of the allegations against Broussard involve Parker's employment as a paralegal for the parish.
Coming 15 months into the FBI's inquiry into Jefferson Parish political corruption, the letters represents official notice that the government intends on seeking criminal charges against the former politician. It serves to declare that Broussard, in the government's view, is no longer merely a "subject" of investigation but is now, according to the Justice Department's U.S. Attorneys' Manual, "a person as to whom the prosecutor or the grand jury has substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime and who, in the judgment of the prosecutor, is a putative defendant."
A dominant figure in Jefferson politics during a 35-year career in five different offices, Broussard abruptly resigned as parish president in January 2010. Four days earlier, his chief administrative officer, Tim Whitmer, had quit amid scandal. Two months later, parish attorney Tom Wilkinson also resigned.
Broussard's departure made for an uncharacteristic exit from the public stage by a man who had seemed extremely comfortable in the spotlight and shown a knack for communicating with, and persuading, fellow politicians and the public alike.
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(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
ping
Things are bad enough in Louisiana for corruption...that a yearly audit of each guy or gal holding office ought to be required. If you buy property....new vehicles...anything, things ought to be explainable. If you don’t like political audits...then resign. It’s the only way to keep folks honest.
Actually, every public entity in the state is required undergo an audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
Every town, city, parish, fire district, water district - about 3500 total.
Many, many public criminals have been exposed and prosecuted by revelations from these audits.
I like to think we in Louisiana are making progress in rooting out public corruption, but they’ve got such a head start on us citizens and taxpayers...
The entire state of Louisiana, especially Orleans, St. Tammany and Jefferson parrish, is corrupt.
I like to think that I’m trying to do my small part here in North Central Louisiana to combat the situation.
http://lincolnparishnewsonline.wordpress.com/
There’s a similar newsblog in Jefferson Parish that is attempting to do the same.
http://thejeffersonreport.com/
It IS a target-rich environment!
OMG!! THROW the BOOK at that LIAR!!!! He is VILE and EVIL!!
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/jefferson_parish_officials_sub.html
Jefferson Parish officials subpoenaed to federal grand jury
Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 6:03 PM
Andrea Shaw, The Times-Picayune By Andrea Shaw, The Times-Picayune
In another sign that the federal investigation into Jefferson Parish government corruption is heating up, at least three Parish Council members were served subpoenas Thursday, a day after former Parish President Aaron Broussard received a target letter describing possible criminal charges against him.
Councilmen Chris Roberts and Elton Lagasse said they were contacted by the FBI and told they would be receiving directives to appear before the grand jury on Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. at U.S. District Court in New Orleans. Lagasse said he received his subpoena around 2 p.m., and council Chairman Tom Capella and Councilwoman Cynthia Lee-Sheng said they also received one. Late Thursday, Roberts said he had not been served.
Parish President John Young, who was elected in October to replace Broussard, said an FBI agent delivered him a subpoena about 4:30 p.m. at the Joseph S. Yenni Building in Elmwood. Young, previously a council member, said he understands all council members were to be summoned. Lee-Sheng said she was told the same thing.
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I live in Texas and have businesses in both Orleans and Jefferson parishes and am always dumbfounded when people in Jefferson point the Orleans and complain about the corruption when it seems to be as bad in both places.
Everyone from the meter maids to the Sheriff are on the take.
And in Jefferson, when Harry Lee died, it all came out in the open.
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