NEW ORLEANS FIRE DEPARTMENT CHANGES HIRING POLICIES IN RESPONSE TO MCC INQUIRY
After receiving an MCC inquiry into the thoroughness of background checks for New Orleans firefighters, the City of New Orleans broadened their evaluation of Fire Department applicants’ criminal histories. After New Orleans firefighter David Mahler was arrested for second degree murder, the MCC learned that the Fire Department looked only at potential fire recruits’ conviction histories in a limited number of jurisdictions. The MCC wrote to the City of New Orleans’ Office of Municipal Investigations asking them to review this procedure, and the city adopted procedures looking into recruits’ arrests, convictions, and employment histories. In immediate response to this new procedure, 16 prospective recruits were eliminated from consideration.
TIP TO MCC PROVIDES INFORMATION IN NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS’ DRUG DEALING OPERATIONS
An anonymous informant contacted the MCC and provided information that led to the arrest and conviction of two corrupt NOPD Officers, David and Ron Singleton. This tip contributed to the case against officers David and Ron Singleton that culminated into federal charges of drug distribution and money-laundering. Both officers pled guilty to drug trafficking in connection with a cocaine ring run by Richard Pena and were given lengthy prison sentences. David Singleton admitted to apprehending a rival drug dealer and delivering him to Richard Pena, and each of the officers provided testimony in cases against other members of the drug distribution network.
MOLESTER’S PROBATION REVOKED AFTER MCC COMPLAINT
A tip to the MCC and subsequent MCC investigation led to the arrest of a convicted child molester for parole violations. In this case, a concerned citizen contacted the MCC seeking to remain anonymous. The citizen reported that the molester was living in close proximity to two schools with his parents, in direct contradiction to the orders of his parole release. The MCC conducted an investigation, which verified the molester’s improper residence and forwarded the findings to the parole board. In response, the parole board revoked the pedophile’s probation.
SUSPENDED LAWYER ARRESTED BASED UPON MCC REFERRAL
The MCC notified the Orleans Parish District Attorney that Jose Castro continued practicing law after his license was suspended, and Mr. Castro was arrested for his ongoing illicit law practice. Mr. Castro’s law license had previously been suspended, because he was convicted of insurance fraud. During the suspension of his license, the MCC learned, Mr. Castro continued to provide services as an attorney which resulted in his arrest for practicing law under a suspended license and illegally paying to solicit a client.