FEDERAL JUDGE THOMAS PORTEOUS IMPEACHED
Judge Porteous was impeached on four counts, the second of which was the result of an MCC investigation that began in 1994. Judge Porteous, who was a state judge at the time, allegedly modified the sentence of an employee of a local bondsman, Louis Marcotte, even though Louisiana law does not permit a judge to modify a sentence once a person has begun serving jail time. Before the MCC could gather all their information, Judge Porteous was appointed as a federal judge and could no longer be pursued by the Louisiana Judiciary Commission. The MCC decided to publish their findings which led to additional tips which greatly contributed to the federal investigation known as operation wrinkled robe that resulted in the numerous convictions, including Louis Marcotte and two state judges.
INDEPENDENCE POLICE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL VOTER FRAUD
Information developed by the MCC and provided to the FBI led to the resignation and guilty plea of Independence Police Chief Anthony Maurer. The MCC had learned that several Independence police officers had been compelled to provide false information on voting documents and register in the city to vote for Chief Maurer. The information provided by the MCC to the FBI led to Chief Maurer’s indictment in March 2010. He was later sentenced to two years of federal probation.
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRESTED FOR BRIBERY
Based upon a tip, the MCC provided information to the New Orleans Inspector General regarding city tow truck driver, Dennis Firstley, taking bribes. Allegedly, the tow truck driver initially asked the informant for $250, but negotiated downward to $75 in exchange for not towing the informant’s vehicle. The New Orleans Inspector General’s Office developed enough evidence to have Mr. Firstley arrested and charged with bribery. In May of 2013, he pled guilty to a felony charge of public bribery and was sentenced to 1 year probation and ordered to pay a fine.
MCC PROBE OF DIRECTOR OF NEW ORLEANS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RESULTS IN CITY POLICY CHANGES
The MCC received a tip and developed information determining that New Orleans Emergency Medical Services Chief Dr. Jullette Saussy had a second job in Dallas, Texas while serving as the highest paid city employee making $180,000 per year. In 2007, she accepted a $90,000 per year position with Vidacare, a company that sells equipment for emergency responders. The medical firm employing Dr. Saussy was a manufacturer of equipment used by the New Orleans EMS Department. In addition, Dr. Saussy received 32,000 shares of stock from the firm while the City of New Orleans was purchasing the company’s products and services through no bid contracts. After being presented with the MCC’s findings, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu amended policies forbidding full-time second jobs and requiring written approval for employees’ outside employment. On October 1, 2010, Dr. Saussy resigned her position with the city.