Feds take aim at corruption by officials in New Orleans

[babylonsister]

Feds take aim at corruption by officials in New Orleans

New Orleans Inspector General Robert Cerasoli, who came to the job from a similar position in Massachusetts, surprised officials by not accepting a city car and moving into a small office at Loyola University.


By Rick Jervis, USA TODAY

NEW ORLEANS — The voice on the radio assumes the tone of a high school principal: "Public service is not about stealing from the people — it's about giving to the people."

The voice belongs to James Bernazzani, the FBI's special agent in charge in New Orleans. He, along with the U.S. Attorney's Office here and a new inspector general at City Hall, is launching a very public assault on public corruption.

The FBI's New Orleans office has tracked a 452% jump in corruption indictments the past five years. Corruption convictions in eastern Louisiana climbed 33% in the same period, making it one of the top spots in the country for such convictions, according to Justice Department statistics.

Among those convicted: 23 Orleans Parish school officials, 16 workers from city hall and 14 traffic court employees, along with judges, councilmen and other officials, said Jim Letten, U.S. Attorney for eastern Louisiana. "We're going after anyone — whether it's a teacher or minor public official — who engages in any kind of public corruption," he said.

Many of the investigations were launched before the 2005 floods and destruction unleashed by Hurricane Katrina. But the post-storm recovery, with billions of dollars in federal aid streaming into the area, can lead to further corruption and triggered agents to step up investigations, Bernazzani said.

"The city is fighting for its life and needs momentum," he said.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-19-fed-crackdown_N.htm?csp=34

[Swamp Rat]

1. "The city is fighting for its life and needs momentum"

That's an understatement.

:kick: