Free Republic

<p>NEW ORLEANS — In a state long associated with crooked politicians, a current investigation into judicial misconduct may shake the very foundations of the legal system.</p> <p>The Washington Times has learned that the arrest of a Jefferson Parish judge last month is part of an FBI investigation targeting judges, bail bondsmen, deputy sheriffs and lawyers.</p>

<p>Jefferson Parish Judge Ronald D. Bodenheimer, whose 20-year career as a tough-on-crime prosecutor paved the way for his election to the bench three years ago, was arrested Wednesday and accused of arranging to have illegal drugs planted in the vehicle of a man who complained about the eastern New Orleans marina that Bodenheimer owns.</p>

N E W O R L E A N S, July 17 — A Louisiana judge who is the subject of a federal investigation into possible judicial corruption in suburban New Orleans was indicted Wednesday on federal drug charges. A grand jury indicted District Judge Ronald Bodenheimer and an alleged accomplice on one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute oxycodone and three other charges. Oxycontin is a version of the narcotic. The judge is accused of plotting to plant drugs on a man who had complained about permits and zoning problems with a marina Bodenheimer owns in New Orleans....