NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT DEPUTY CHIEF RESIGNED DUE TO GAMBLING INTERESTS
An MCC investigation uncovered that the NOPD’s second-in-command, Deputy Chief Antoine Saacks, had a business relationship with United Gaming, a Las Vegas gambling company. The MCC investigation also found that Chief Saacks had traveled to Las Vegas with a convicted felon to establish a business relationship with United Gaming and allowed his subordinates to lobby the Louisiana Legislature in favor of video poker. Based upon MCC complaints, Chief Saacks was suspended, demoted, and ultimately forcible separated from his employment with the NOPD. Because of their involvement with Chief Saacks, United Gaming was placed under investigation in several states. Publicity from this case led to United Gaming changing their name to Alliance Gaming and undergoing significant changes in company leadership.
NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT FAILS TO RETURN RECOVERED STOLEN CARS TO OWNERS
A tip to the MCC and follow-up investigation found that NOPD Officers were facilitating the department’s inappropriate seizure of stolen automobiles. A New Orleans city ordinance allowed the NOPD to take ownership of recovered automobiles when the cars’ owners could not be located. It was found that the NOPD had made poor efforts to locate the owners of recovered stolen cars. The MCC uncovered 17 cars worth $250,000 that were illegally seized by the department. In some instances, owners of recovered vehicles had contacted the NOPD asking if their cars had been found and were told that their automobiles had not been located. In response to this case, the city ordinance allowing this practice was amended and the NOPD adopted procedural changes to ensure stronger efforts to locate the owners of recovered vehicles.
MCC HALTS IMPROPER CUSTOMS COMMISSION FOR LEVEE BOARD AIDE
A letter from the MCC to the U.S. Customs Office resulted in Ray Namias having his commission with the customs agency revoked. The President of the Levee Board asked U.S. Customs to grant Mr. Namias a commission, although U.S. Customs commissions are only supposed to be granted to sworn law enforcement officers. Mr. Namias was not a law enforcement officer but was granted the commission. In response, the MCC wrote a letter of complaint to U.S. Customs regarding Mr. Namias’ commission. The U.S. Customs commission of Mr. Namias was revoked, and Mr. Namias was ordered to stay away from the Levvee Board police force for exceeding his civilian authority.