Posted on 02/23/2013 2:57:35 AM PST by abb
Aaron Broussard might have hoped his story would have been that of a witty, colorful and effective politician whose career in public service spanned 35 years. On Monday, however, a federal judge will write an epilogue that has the former Jefferson Parish president going to prison for what lawyers predict will be at least five years.
The 10 a.m. sentencing in U.S. District Court in New Orleans will essentially end a political corruption scandal that burst open in 2009, quickly toppled the Broussard administration and became entwined with any number of unusual side stories. Judge Hayden Head Jr. was brought in from Texas especially to preside over the case, for example, and the U.S. attorney whose staff prosecuted Broussard abruptly retired 2-1/2 months ago amid an internal office scandal of his own.
But the case itself is rather simple: Broussard, never known to be a wealthy man, arranged in 2003 for his parish attorney, Tom Wilkinson, to put Broussard's girlfriend on the public payroll. For that and other favors, he rewarded Wilkinson with a series of pay raises. Karen Parker - who soon became Broussard's wife and eventually his ex-wife -- wasn't qualified for the job she was given and did little, if any, legitimate work for six years.
In addition, Broussard helped steer public contracts to a Kenner businessman. In exchange, he received $66,000.
Broussard pleaded guilty to two of the 27 counts in his indictment: conspiracy and theft. By law, the maximum punishment is 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Separately, he might have to forfeit $280,210, which the government figures is the total of the bribes he took, the unwarranted salary differentials of Wilkinson and Parker and their commensurate benefit increases.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
ping
Gee. I looked and looked and found no mention of any political leanings in the article. I’m shocked.
Thanks for the follow up. I can think of several network news people that should be his cell mates for the fraudulent way they used his alibis after Katrina.
He's a 'Pub, right? That's why the "corporate media" buried it, right? /DU 'tard excuse for everything off
In Louisiana, a 5-10 year stint is part of the retirement program for politicians.
After reading the complete story, I rather think that if given the opportunity to re-live history, Broussard would choose the same sordid path again.
We spent a week in NOLA. It would be hard to find a more corrupt city...
It is perhaps the last American city that has remained true to its founding principles.
“Half of Louisiana is under water and the other half is under indictment.”
Billy Tauzin Louisiana’s first Republican congressman
He is a ‘Rat. Judge Head is a Reagan appointee.
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