WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Defense attorneys for George Grace tried to poke holes today in the prosecution's depiction of the former St. Gabriel mayor as a "godfather" for other local officials in his federal corruption trial.

Former Port Allen mayor Derek Lewis testified yesterday that Grace was a "godfather" or "adviser" to other mayors and officials that were part of Grace's "A-team".

Today, defense attorneys asked if Lewis had ever used those words to describe Grace before an FBI interview this past November.

"No," Lewis said.

Lewis pleaded guilty last June to racketeering. He and Grace were both investigated along with other public officials by the FBI as part of "Operation: Blighted Officials".

Defense attorneys also recounted the things Lewis asked undercover FBI operative William Myles to give him, such as numerous tickets to the Bayou Classic, and asked if Grace was either involved in those transactions or aware of them. Lewis said he wasn't.

News 2 will have more updates on testimony throughout the day.