2014 Media Archive | Metropolitan Crime Commission

“Police transparency in question after officer crash” December 22, 2014; The Shreveport Times
“N.O. electronic monitoring program, maligned in report, faces uncertain future” December 9, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Resignation by top Orleans Parish Prison official Michael A. Tidwell came amid rift with Sheriff Marlin Gusman” December 9, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

US Attorney’s Press Release: New Orleans Bail Bondswoman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Conspiracy – December 4, 2014

“OIG: Electronic Monitoring Program ‘almost a total failure’” December 3, 2014; WVUE

US Attorney’s Press Release: Former Orleans Criminal District Court Employee Pleads Guilty to Role in Bail Bonds Fraud – December 3, 2014

“Focus in NOPD sex crimes scandal turns to supervision” November 25, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Brawl in front of Criminal Court leads to questions about handling of cases” November 24, 2014; WVUE

“After arrest of celebrated baker, prosecutors to take fresh look at ’06 slaying” November 21, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“For rape victims, hurt and anger in dealing with New Orleans police” November 15, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Allegations of bungled rape, child abuse cases latest for troubled NOPD unit” November 12, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“What’s wrong with La.’s bail system?” November 11, 2014; The Shreveport Times

“Getting away with murder is easier than you think” November 8, 2014; The Shreveport Times

“The Investigators: God’s Work or Just Greed” November 7, 2014; WAFB

“Kenner reviewing practices after prosecutor doubles as counselor” November 6, 2014; WWL-TV

“Orleans judge wins bare majority in meaningless race” November 6, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Byron C. Williams defeats Paul Sens in race for New Orleans Criminal Court bench” November 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

US Attorney’s Press Release: Rufus Johnson and 3 Others Indicted for Operating Fraudulent Bail Bonds Scheme in Orleans Parish – October 31, 2014

“Violence continues at Orleans Parish Prison but progress happening, federal monitors say” October 31, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Sexual harassment case against former juvenile judge set for trial” October 29, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Harvey firefighter theft case: Will the defense theory burn up?” October 28, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Theft charges upheld for Harvey fire chief, deputy chief” October 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Citing his extensive judicial experience, Paul Sens waves off accusations of nepotism, impropriety” October 23, 2014; The Lens

“Byron Williams would set goal of being one of Criminal District Court’s most efficient judges” October 23, 2014; The Lens

“Judge Marullo defends Orleans courthouse as efficient and transparent against challengers’ criticisms” October 22, 2014; Uptown Messenger

“Landrieu names Michael Harrison permanent New Orleans police chief” October 16, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Mayor Landrieu proposes raises for cops; millions for firefighter pensions and city jail also in 2015 budget” October 16, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Zurik: Crashed car, legal losses and racial slurs collide off Twin Spans” October 15, 2014; WVUE

“What Do New Orleans Criminal Court Judges Do?” October 9, 2014; WWNO

“Fox 8 Investigates: Judicial Junkets” October 8, 2014; WVUE

“Some New Orleans judges billed public for multi-room condos at Florida resort’s event” October 8, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“New Orleans public paid $75,000 for judges trips to beach resorts, mountain lodges, more” October 8, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Investigators: Fire marshal and former investigator face lawsuit related to deadly motel fire” October 7, 2014; WAFB

“Paul Sens, Byron Williams face off for open judge seat at Orleans criminal court” October 6, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Walter Reed, business partner accused in lawsuit of racketeering” October 2, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Orleans DA Cannizzaro wins plaudits, mostly, as he nears second term” September 28, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“I-Team: Local nonprofit group asks state supreme court to look into Marullo, Williams meeting” September 25, 2014; WDSU

“Investigate whether Judge Marullo violated election law, judicial ethics: Editorial” September 24, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Mayor asks Jindal to remove all state prisoners from OPP” September 23, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“I-Team: Questions raised over meeting of judicial opponents” September 22, 2014; WDSU

“Double billing by lawmakers demands broad investigation: Editorial” September 17, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Some rural cops tote guns with little training” September 15, 2014; The Shreveport Times

“Legislative auditor will review former St. Tammany prosecutor’s retirement contributions” September 10, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Teen murder suspect back in custody after three-week escape” September 3, 2014; WWL-TV

“Case against janitor sparks ethics concerns” September 3, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Zurik: Another Reed associate gets cushy retirement deal”September 2, 2014; WVUE

“Former St. Tammany prosecutor used private firm’s money to calculate publicly funded benefits, records show” September 2, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“More questions from arrangement between St. Tammany DA, school board” September 2, 2014; WWLT-TV

“Tammany DA’s arrangement with School Board raises questions” September 1, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Private law practice paid hundreds of thousands for work with St. Tammany schools” September 1, 2014; WWL-TV

“Orleans Parish Prison- how big should it be” August 28, 2914; WWL 870AM

“Mayor wants smaller jail; crime commission a larger jail. Which do you support?” August 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Build bigger Orleans Parish Prison, Metropolitan Crime Commission urges in new report” August 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Metropolitan Crime Commission backs building another jail” August 27, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“French Quarter residents take step to fight crime” August 21, 2014; The News Star

“Teen charged with murder released from jail by mistake” August 21, 2014; WWL-TV

“DA touts stronger criminal justice system in Orleans” August 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Orleans DA Leon Cannizzaro announces new unit to ensure fair convictions” August 19, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Should New Superintendent Have NOPD Ties?” August 19, 2014; WGNO

“Interim N.O. police chief well-worn veteran of force” August 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“NOPD ratings improved despite limited resources” August 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Reaction to Serpas’ departure mixed” August 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Experts say NOPD problems won’t be solved overnight” August 18, 2014; WWL-TV

“Police union officials shedding no tears over Serpas’ departure” August 18, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Tammany president wonders if DA’s benefits led to shortfalls” August 10, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Size of Orleans jail, whom it will house still a matter of debate” August 10, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“St. Tammany Parish President and DA Walter Reed ask separately for audit of Reed’s Office” August 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“How big should OPP be? Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Mayor Mitch Landrieu unveil visions” August 1, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“St. Tammany DA Walter Reed’s abuse of tax dollars shouldn’t be allowed: Editorial” July 31, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Salary used to compute Walter Reed’s retirement higher than what he listed in ethics forms” July 31, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Man gets 50 years behind bars for shooting New Orleans police officer” July 31, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“DA Walter Reed used public money to pad his own retirement, records show” July 30, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“St. Tammany Hospital Says It Hired District Attorney Reed” July 28, 2014; WWNO

“Slower judges must take cues from more efficient peers, reports says” July 28, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Watchdog group questions wide gaps in Orleans Criminal Court judges’ efficiency”July 27, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Hospital, St. Tammany district attorney on DA’s pay” July 27, 2014; Associated Press

“New Orleans Citizens Reform a Corrupt, Fallen City” July 25, 2014; The Wall Street Journal

“Lee Zurik Investigation: Hospital documents directly contradict Reed” July 25, 2014; WVUE

“St. Tammany Hospital hired DA’s office, not Walter Reed personally, records show” July 25, 2015; The Times-Picayune

“Victim of Mother’s Day shooting blasts DA for letting the feds take over case” July 23, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“‘Assasin’s van’ suggests organized crime elements” July 21, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“In the death of Doctor Mary Sherman, strange myths pale next to stranger facts” July 18, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Jefferson Parish small claims court judge Patrick DeJean says office money is ‘not public money’” July 17, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“DA Walter Reed used public money to pay for his medical co-pays and deductibles” July 16, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“I-Team: Justice of the peace used office to secure $54,000 in loans” July 15, 2014; WDSU

“Ex-New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Sentenced in Corruption Case” July 10, 2014; NPR

“Former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin jailed for 10 years for bribery, corruption charges” July 10, 2014; ABC News

“Hospital checks to DA Walter Reed raise more questions about nature of payments” July 10, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“New Orleans Looks to Turn the Page After Nagin Sentencing” July 9, 2014; TIME

“C. Ray Nagin, former New Orleans mayor, sentenced to 10 years in prison” July 9, 2014; Los Angeles Times

“Former Mayor Ray Nagin sentenced to 10 years in prison”July 9, 2014; WVUE

U.S. Attorney’s Office Press Release acknowledges MCC’s role in Nagin Case July 9, 2014

“Bourbon St. bars, shops plan to tighten police security”; July 9, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Lee Zurik Investigation: Hospital checks to Reed raise serious questions” July 9, 2014; WVUE

“Orleans Parish Prison size topic of community meeting Tuesday night” July 8, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Shooting response shines national spotlight on New Orleans public safety”; July 4, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin faces long sentence for corruption conviction” July 3, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“I-Team: Crime stats reveal most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans” July 3, 2014; WDSU

“Mayor Landrieu calls on feds, state to deploy law enforcement manpower to N.O.” July 2, 2014; WVUE

“Bourbon Street shooting burning question: Why do gunmen fire into crowds?” July 1, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“OPP inmate walks free after clerical error”; July 1, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Theft investigation raises questions about St. Tammany DA’s Office”; June 29, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“NOPD struggles to bring on new cops as force dwindles”; June 22, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“History of illegal drug use no longer a disqualifier for NOPD job” June 17, 2014; WVUE

“New drug rules for NOPD applicants” June 20, 2014; WWL

“Felon alleges legal retribution after gold business with St. Tammany DA ends” June 15, 2014; WWL-TV

“DA’s gold business included partnership with convict” June 15, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Reed didn’t recuse DA office from business partner’s DWI”; June 13, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“FBI agents visit Tammany DA Walter Reed’s office” June 12, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Feds pay visit, 2nd in less than 2 weeks, to Walter Reed’s office” June 6, 2014; WWL-TV

“Feds investigating St. Tammany DA Walter Reed and his son, Steven Reed, subpoena reveals” June 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

““Some drivers unhappy with NOPD response time to accidents” June 4, 2014; WWL-TV

“New Orleans conviction rate highest it’s been in 20 years” June 6, 2014; WWL AM870

“Lee Zurik Investigation: Feds issue subpoena, open probe of Walter Reed” June 4, 2014; WVUE

“Is the New Orleans criminal justice system working better? | Live chat with local watchdog and crime reporters” June 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Cop, prosecutor cooperation leads to stable conviction rate, report says” June 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“NOPD cops wasting time on minor arrests, watchdog report says” June 4, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Report: Crime reports up, arrests down in New Orleans” June 4, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Reed’s office tactic picking jury, deal offer questioned” June 1, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“DA: Criminal justice system’s failure leads to teen’s death” May 29, 2014; WDSU

“Embattled constable sues Jefferson Parish court for not using his services” May 29, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“DA Walter Reed resigns as outside legal counsel for St. Tammany Parish Hospital” May 28, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“IG report takes issue with NOPD staffing claims” May 28, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“NOPD needs more street cops to meet emergency needs, IG finds” May 28, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Law firm in Tammany civil case now says DA Reed is of ‘counsel’ ” May 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Jefferson DA says he takes pain to avoid conflicts of interest” May 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Hospital, DA Reed differ on nature of Reed’s work” May 18, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Reed dumped criminal case to take on lucrative civil one” May 17, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“DA Walter Reed gets $30,000 a year from public hospital, without contract or invoices” May 15, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Charges against ex-sheriff remain unclear” May 15, 2014 ; Houma Courier

“Is Walter Reed a part-time DA?” May 15, 2014; WDSU

“Tammany DA reviewing perjury accusation against his investigator” May 14, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Justice of the Peace job means big money — for some” May 9, 2014; WDSU

“St. Tammany DA Walter Reed’s campaign paid his son $14,300 for this 1-minute video” May 8, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“St. Tammany DA Walter Reed’s paid $29,400 to his son; records show no evidence of services” May 8, 2014; The Times-Picayune

““Alario and Doresey-Colomb should face probe for double billing, watchdog says” May 7, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Lee Zurik Investigation: Will Ethics Board, feds tackle legislative vets?” May 6, 2014; WVUE

“Traffic court judges rarely on bench” May 5, 2014; WWL-TV

“Ethics charges move forward against former St. Bernard clerk and her daughter” May 1, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Lee Zurik Investigation: Campaign cash buys Saints tickets, great grub” May 1, 2014; WVUE

“City aims to overhaul pay rates for NOPD detail system” April 29, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Chief deputy clerk Nunez faces ethics violation charges” April 20, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“State opens probe of work release program” April 14, 2014; New Orleans City Business

“New Orleans criminal court is getting more efficient, report says” April 9, 2014; Mid-City Messenger

“Fewer delays, ‘substantial’ improvement at Orleans criminal court, watchdog group says” April 9, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Viral arrest video raises questions” April 4, 2014; WGNO

“St. Tammany president ousts recreation board member tied to work-release program” April 4, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Plaquemines Parish woman demands federal probe” April 2, 2014; WVUE

“West Bank constable Tony Thomassie reports $91,654 in salary and fees in 2013, financial statement shows” March 31, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“State auditors raid controversial Jefferson constable’s house” March 28, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Constable Thomassie’s home raided by authorities, FOX8 News reports” March 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Auditors, deputies raid Thomassie’s home office” March 27, 2014; WVUE

“Work release owner asked to resign from recreation district board” March 26, 2014; WWL-TV

“Investigation into St. Tammany work-release not over with shutdown” March 17, 2014; WWL-TV

“Sheriff, State try to place inmates from work-release program” March 15, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“West Bank Constable Tony Thomassie’s salary comes under scrutiny in television report” March 14, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Records show Thomassie gets around more than most” March 13, 2014; WVUE

“In Orleans Parish sheriff’s runoff between Marlin Gusman and Charles Forti, future of jail at issue” February 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“West Bank constable’s work ethic comes under scrutiny in television report” February 27, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Where in the world is Tony Thomassie” February 26, 2014; WVUE

“Peter Galvan’s golden parachute” February 24, 2014; WVUE

“Former chief judge collecting $65k a year after resignation” February 24, 2014; WDSU

“Sheriff gives tour of new parish prison” February 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Former New Orleans Mayor Found Guilty of Corruption” February 13, 2014; NPR

US Attorney’s Office acknowledges MCC’s role in Nagin Case February 12, 2014

“Former New Orleans mayor guilty of graft in Katrina recovery” February 12, 2014; Reuters

“U.S. Attorney, local watchdogs hail Ray Nagin guilty verdict” February 12, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Gusman’s son works for law firm with lucrative contract with Sheriff’s Office” January 24, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“Orleans Parish sheriff candidates responsible for jail’s troubled past seek to control its future” January 22, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Race pits incumbent against former sheriff, new challenger” January 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“NOPD manpower targets ignite mayoral race” January 19, 2014; The New Orleans Advocate

“In New Orleans mayoral race, public safety frames the sparring campaigns” January 17, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Coroner’s Office unclassified deaths leave haunting questions for families” January 17, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“Jefferson inspector general and allies press Parish Council for access to emails” January 15, 2014; The Times-Picayune

“In New Orleans, jury trials plummet while conviction rate rises January 6, 2014; The Advocate

“Audit – Red ink flowing from N.O. criminal court” January 2, 2014; The Advocate