Free Republic

Efforts by Orleans Levee Board President Jim Huey to steer two no-bid, post-Hurricane Katrina contracts to relatives and to collect nearly $100,000 in back pay for himself a few weeks before the storm has drawn the scrutiny of state officials and Huey's board colleagues, none of whom were consulted on the actions. "I'm bewildered and deeply disturbed by what's happened," said Levee Board Commissioner Dan Foley, who said he learned about Huey's moves through newspaper accounts.

Opinions differ on his eligibility: Less than a month before Hurricane Katrina wrecked the Orleans Levee Board's finances and left the levees it maintains in shambles, board President Jim Huey requested and got nearly $100,000 in back pay that the agency's hired legal advisers - one of whom is a relative of his wife - determined he was entitled to receive. The payment for about $96,000, which was made without approval from the board or its staff attorney, came on the advice of Gerard Metzger and George Carmouche, two contract lawyers with close ties to Huey, who was originally appointed...