Corruption in American Cities: New Orleans
The City Known for Madri Gras, Jazz, Cronyism and Corruption
Sep 17, 2008
New Orleans history as a city began in 1699 when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville and Jean-Baptist Le Moyne and Sieur de Bienville established the first European settlement along the Mississippi River. It was already inhabited by Native American Indians. Over time it became known as a place of multicultural influences and a joy of life attitude. With changes that came over the years, it also became a hotbed of cronyism and corruption starting with the Reconstruction period and continuing today.
Political Corruption in New Orleans, 19th Century
Political corruption in New Orleans got its foothold during Reconstruction when fraud, prostitution and gambling flourished. It was during this period that Mardi Gras, the final day of Carnival--- the three day period preceding Lent began.
During Reconstruction the situation was exploited for personal gain by white Southerners, (Scalawags) who cooperated with the Republican forces and Northerners (Carpetbaggers) to gain control of the city and state with the support of black voters.
Political Corruption in New Orleans, 20th Century
Political corruption, as in the past, was part of the scene in the early 1900’s. Huey Long and his corrupt cronies dominated New Orleans for a decade until he was assassinated in 1935. Prior to that he had been Governor of Louisiana, later Senator and had planned to run for President.
Political Corruption in New Orleans, 21st Century
Political corruption has continued to haunt New Orleans during the 21st century with a list of investigations, indictments, trials and convictions. The names include:
- Governor Edwin Edwards, convicted of extorting money from applicants for riverboat casino licenses and sentenced to a 10-year prison sentence.
- Jerry Fowler, a former election commissioner serving a four-year sentence.
- Jim Brown, a former insurance commissioner released from prison in 2003, the third commissioner in a row to go to prison.
- Congressman William Jefferson under investigation in the the probe of Governor Edwards.
- Judge Alan Green, brother-in-law of Congressman Jefferson, convicted.
- Former Judge Ronald Bodenheimer, under federal investigation.
- Family members and associates of former Mayor Marc Morial under investigation.
- Morial’s uncle Glenn Haydel, former manager of the Regional Transit Authority accused of diverting $550,000 in RTA funds into his person accounts.
In other federal cases, 10 people have been charged in an alleged scheme to skim hundreds of thousands of dollars from an $81 million dollar energy management contract that Morial signed with Johnson Controls while in office. Among those indicted are Morial associated Stan “Pampy” Barre and Kerry DeCay.
According to the FBI, Louisiana ranks third in the nation in public corruption cases. Former incarcerated officials can be found at the Bureau of Prisons Web site (www.bop.gov) going back to 1982, Republicans and Democrats alike from across the state.
After Hurricane Katrina, three emergency preparedness officials were indicted, accused of obstruction and lying in the connection with the mishandling of $30.4 million dollars in disaster relief. Other problems include half a million dollars improperly spent on such things as a trip to Germany, professional dues, computer equipment and an automobile.
A study by the Public Policy Research Lab at Louisana State University found that 66 percent of respondents said they believed Louisiana is just as corrupt as it ever was and might even be more so today. New Orleans continues to be part of the political corruption problem with no signs that much has changed over the years.
Bibliography
Louise McDinne. New Orleans: A Cultural History. London, Oxford University Press, 2006.
Sources:
Federal Bureau of Investigation: New Orleans Division.
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