HEAD OF THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTIONS BUREAU CHARGED WITH BATTERY
Lieutenant Christopher Maurice, former head of the NOPD’s inspections divisions, was prosecuted for simple battery after the MCC appealed to the New Orleans District Attorney to press charges. Lt. Maurice, whose official job duties included enforcing NOPD policies, was accused of battery against a local radio personality and given a municipal summons for the offense. A New Orleans Municipal Court Judge threw out the charges against Lt. Maurice. After the case was thrown out of municipal court, the MCC conducted a follow-up investigation and filed a complaint with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office alleging additional victims and violations. The District Attorney accepted charges against Lt. Maurice, who was convicted of simple battery and released from the NOPD.
MCC CONCERNS HALT JUDGE’S PURSUIT OF FEDERAL BENCH
After the MCC raised questions about Orleans Parish Traffic Court Judge Terry Alarcon’s alleged part ownership of a gambling company, the Judge withdrew himself from consideration to an appointment as a Federal Judge. Prior to the MCC expressing concerns, Judge Alarcon had been recommended for the judgeship by Louisiana’s two Senators and appeared likely to be strongly considered for the position.
SECOND JUDGE RESCINDS CANDIDACY FOR FEDERAL JUDGESHIP
After Ms. Dale Atkins, Clerk of Criminal Court in Orleans Parish, was recommended for a federal district judgeship, the MCC wrote a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Commission expressing concern over Ms. Atkins’ ethics. Ms. Atkins’ brother was a three-time convicted felon who was being prosecuted for yet another felony. Ms. Atkins contacted the District Attorney’s Office asking that her brother not be prosecuted as a multiple offender. The MCC regarded this as an undue application of Ms. Atkins’ authority and power as a political figure that presented significant ethical concerns regarding her potential judgeship. After the MCC made these concerns public, Ms. Atkins withdrew herself from consideration for the judgeship citing that she was too young for the position.
OFFICERS SUSPENDED OVER UNLICENSED SECURITY BUSINESS
NOPD Major Ronal Serpas and Sergeant Harry Mendoza were suspended when an investigation based upon an MCC complaint found that they were operating a private security business without an occupational license. The security business provided off-duty New Orleans Police Officers for private security and was operating without the knowledge or permission of the department.