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• Guilty pleas in federal investigation of truck stop chain

  May 29, 2013 8:04 PM

  NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE- Two employees of the Pilot truck stop chain owned by the family of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam pleaded guilty in federal court. Regional sales director Arnold Ralenkotter admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and accounts representative Ashley Smith Judd also pleaded guilty to conspiracy.... more »

• Federal judge delays ex-BP engineer's trial

  January 14, 2013 4:20 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has agreed to postpone the trial of a former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company's response to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Kurt Mix's trial was scheduled to start Feb. 25, but U.S. District Judge Stanwood... more »

• Governor to sue NCAA over Penn state sanctions

  January 1, 2013 3:47 PM

  HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says he plans to sue the NCAA in federal court over sanctions imposed against Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal. The Republican governor has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday in State College to announce the... more »

• Saints coach: Witnesses lied in NFL investigation

  December 13, 2012 4:01 PM

  METAIRIE - Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt says witnesses in the NFL's bounty investigation of New Orleans' pay-for-pain system have lied about him and the organization and that their stories might change in federal court. Vitt angrily said Thursday he feels the truth will come out in federal court,... more »

• Former Dillard administrator facing theft charge

  November 28, 2012 3:47 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A former Dillard University administrator faces a Jan. 7 trial on a charge that he overbilled the school for repairs performed by a company he owned. The Times-Picayune reports that a one-count federal theft indictment alleges that Matthew Gardner, Dillard's former facilities director, concealed his role in... more »

• Sisters sentenced in federal identity theft, fraud case

  November 16, 2012 3:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A U. S. District judge sentenced two Baton Rouge sisters to four years in federal prison apiece for running a three-year, six-figure credit card scheme. U. S. Attorney Don Cazayoux Jr. said Trachell Brown was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for bank fraud and... more »

• NY appeals court nixes Defense of Marriage Act

  October 18, 2012 10:51 AM

  NEW YORK - A federal appeals court in Manhattan has become the second in the nation to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling Thursday. The decision upholds a lower court judge who ruled that the 1996 law... more »

• Bribery defendant in Broussard case enters plea

  July 31, 2012 6:18 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Kenner businessman accused of bribing former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard has pleaded not guilty in federal court in New Orleans. Bill Mack entered the plea Tuesday during his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Knowles III. The Times-Picayune reports Knowles also set Mack's trial... more »

• Painter released after federal court hearing

  June 5, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge released former Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner Murphy Painter on his own recognizance after a hearing over several indictments this morning. On May 23, a federal grand jury handed up an indictment against Painter for charges of computer fraud, making false statements and... more »

• Grace pleads for freedom in federal court

  March 6, 2012 9:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE-- Convicted felon and former St. Gabriel Mayor will plead for his freedom in federal court Tuesday morning. U.S. Marshals cuffed George Grace and took him away minutes after he was convicted on 7 of 13 corruption counts late Saturday afternoon. Federal Prosecutors believe Grace is a flight risk... more »

• Former St. Gabriel mayor found guilty on 7 felony charges

  March 3, 2012 9:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Former St. Gabriel mayor George Grace was handcuffed and taken away by U.S. Marshals Saturday afternoon in federal court. Jurors found Grace guilty of seven of 13 charges in the FBI's undercover sting, "Operation Blighted Officials." Prosecutors were worried George Grace would flee to his land in Uganda,... more »

• Grace takes stand last time to defend himself Play Video

  February 28, 2012 5:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace took the stand one last time in federal court Tuesday to defend himself before the defense rested their case. Grace said he never exchanged his official position as mayor for bribes, something rebuttal witnesses denied. Grace is charged with racketeering, fraud,... more »

• Grace says he advocated for Libya's Gadhafi

  February 27, 2012 3:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace claimed in federal court today he visited with Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi while the man was designated as a state-sponsored terrorist. Grace said he went to Africa to speak with Uganda's President about a water company Grace wanted to start.... more »

• Militia Member heard making Threats on Tape

  February 24, 2012 7:47 PM

  The leader of the Hutaree Militia in Michigan says in a secretly recorded conversation by an undercover informant he would kill police officers and their families as part of a prelude to a larger war against the government. David Stone is on trial in federal court in Detroit. He's one... more »

• George Grace admits he lied to FBI agents Play Video

  February 23, 2012 6:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace admitted today in federal court he lied to FBI agents and even kept things from his wife during an investigation into his activities as mayor. Grace faces extortion, fraud, racketeering and bribery charges stemming from the FBI's undercover sting, "Operation:... more »

• UC Davis Students Sue over Pepper Spray

  February 22, 2012 7:27 PM

  Nineteen students and alumni sued the University of California Davis in federal court because of a pepper-spray incident involving campus police last year. The suit is the biggest fallout when police sprayed protesters while sitting who had set up an Occupy camp. It was seen widely online and prompted outrage... more »

• Grace says money he took wasn't illegal Play Video

  February 22, 2012 6:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- George Grace took the stand for the second day in a row. He stayed on the stand all day testifying in his own defense. Grace faces federal extortion, corruption, bribery, racketeering and fraud charges for his part in "Operation Blighted Officials." This is his fifth week of... more »

• Former Port Allen mayor takes stand in police chief's trial

  October 25, 2011 6:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Port Allen Police Chief Fred Smith was "ready to go" on bribes, according to former Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis, who took the stand Tuesday afternoon against his former friend. Lewis described the trip he and Smith took to New Orleans on the dime of undercover FBI... more »

• State's suit against La. whistleblowers dismissed

  August 24, 2011 1:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which the state of Louisiana accused two self-described whistleblowers of illegally copying documents containing confidential information about applicants for homeowner grants after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. U.S. District Judge James Brady ruled Wednesday that he doesn't have jurisdiction... more »

• Jury deliberations resume Thursday in Katrina case

  August 4, 2011 10:16 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Jurors have returned for a second day of deliberations in the trial of five current or former police officers charged in deadly shootings on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina. The jury deliberated for several hours Wednesday without reaching a verdict. Deliberations resumed Thursday morning.... more »

• Group home gets pass from judge

  July 29, 2011 6:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A federal judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the eviction of more than a dozen women from two group homes. The homes, operated by the Oxford House, are meant to offer a stable environment to recovering substances abusers. But the parish attorney's office says the two homes... more »

• Federal Judge Ralph Tyson has died

  July 18, 2011 7:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Ralph Tyson, a longtime federal judge for the Middle District of Louisiana, has died. He was 63. Tyson was appointed to the bench in 1998 by then-President Bill Clinton, and served as the chief judge for the Middle District since 2005. Before that he was a judge... more »

• Expert: Bullet from body matched to officer's gun

  July 13, 2011 11:49 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A firearms expert says he matched a bullet removed from the body of a teenager gunned down on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina to an assault rifle used by a police officer charged in the deadly shootings. Patrick Lane, a government witness in the... more »

• FBI agent saw holes in Katrina shooting probe

  July 12, 2011 12:25 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal jury has heard an FBI supervisor describe her growing suspicions as she and other agents interviewed the officer who was assigned to investigate deadly police shootings on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina. Testifying Tuesday at a trial for five current or former... more »

• Port Allen Mayor resigns, admits he did "illegal things"

  June 28, 2011 9:10 AM

  PORT ALLEN- Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis resigned this morning shortly before pleading guilty to federal racketeering charges in Baton Rouge. Lewis called a staff meeting this morning to announce his resignation. Sources tell News 2 he cleaned out his desk in the middle of the night Monday. ... more »

• Trial opens for cops charged in Katrina shootings

  June 27, 2011 12:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal prosecutor says New Orleans police officers decided to "shoot first and ask questions later" when they shot to death two unarmed people and wounded four others on a bridge after Hurricane Katrina. But lawyers for five current or former officers charged in the shootings... more »

• Jury seated in former mayor's corruption trial

  June 7, 2011 1:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A jury has been picked and sworn in for the federal corruption trial of former New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson. Nelson is accused of wire fraud and bribery as part of a federal sting operation into public corruption called "Cifer 5000". Six men and six... more »

• Monks' casket fight lands in federal court

  June 5, 2011 9:52 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- An order of Benedictine monks takes on the funeral industry Monday in a federal court dispute over whether the monks can sell simple caskets - or the state can block them from doing so until they pass a myriad of licensing requirements. The monks of St. Joseph... more »

• Judge won't dismiss Filipinos' trafficking case

  May 26, 2011 1:29 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge in California has refused to dismiss human trafficking accusations in a lawsuit filed by teachers recruited from the Philippines to work in Louisiana. The lawsuit, filed last year, charges a California company illegally required the teachers to pay thousands of dollars in fees... more »

• Judge OKs "Boobies" Bracelets

  April 12, 2011 7:33 PM

  A federal judge says the popular "I (heart) boobies!" breast cancer fund raising bracelets aren't lewd or vulgar, so public school students in Pennsylvania can wear them. Judge Mary McLaughlin sided with students in a free speech test case filed by the ACLU. She issued a temporary restraining injunction that... more »

• 12 plead not guilty to Medicare fraud

  April 7, 2011 11:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Twelve people have pleaded innocent to charges involving Medicare fraud in Baton Rouge federal court. Their pleas were entered Wednesday shortly after prosecutors announced they planned to use evidence from a separate alleged $4.2 million fraud case against five of the defendants. Named defendants in... more »

• ACLU sues Livingston Parish school over hair suspension

  March 31, 2011 10:56 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A lawsuit has been filed against the Livingston Parish School Board and other officials, accusing them of violating a student's freedom of religion when they suspended him because of his long hair. The suit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana on behalf... more »

• Judge deciding if group can sue City-Parish over sewage

  March 16, 2011 3:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A federal judge is deciding whether an environmental group can sue the city parish again. The issue stems from a sewer plant in North Baton Rouge. The residents complain the smell is ruining their lives. "This is just not the way people should live," Neighbor Greg... more »

• Jury asks more questions about entrapment in Brown Trial

  March 3, 2011 11:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Jury members had more questions and requests this morning during their deliberations in the federal racketeering trial of two White Castle officials. Here's three questions that were asked, and the answers that were given: Q - Is there an assumption we must reach a consensus... more »

• Deliberations begin in Brown corruption trial

  March 2, 2011 11:45 AM

  Update: 9:55 a.m. - The jury has returned to court and has resumed deliberation. Update: 2:15 a.m. - The jury adjourned just after midnight after a full day in court. Jurors asked four questions, the fourth the request to adjourn. Deliberations will continue Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. ... more »

• Attorneys for Browns call federal case "fishing expedition"

  March 1, 2011 5:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The federal racketeering case against White Castle officials Mario and Maurice Brown will go to a Baton Rouge jury tomorrow. The pair are accused of taking bribes such as Saints tickets during an undercover FBI investigation while serving as mayor and police chief of White Castle.... more »

• Agent claims Brown brothers grew jealous of bribes

  February 28, 2011 7:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A witness told jurors in the Mario and Maurice Brown corruption trial today that greed and jealousy became a factor during his investigation of the pair, while defense attorneys claimed their clients were the victims of entrapment. Prosecutors continued playing recorded phone conversations between the Browns... more »

• FBI agent says he took "targets" to strip club

  February 25, 2011 5:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Undercover FBI Agent William Miles testified in Federal Court Friday that he took "targets" of the FBI's corruption investigation to Passions Mens' Club in New Orleans in order to gain their trust. The targets of that investigation included brothers Mario Brown and Maurice Brown of White... more »

• Jury selection begins in White Castle officials trial

  February 22, 2011 7:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Jury selection began today in downtown Baton Rouge for the first public officials accused in the Cifer 5000 corruption investigation. White Castle Police Chief Mario Brown and his brother, former mayor Maurice Brown, are accused of taking kickbacks to support a bogus garbage can cleaning operation.... more »

• Footlong Fight

  February 14, 2011 7:24 PM

  There's a fight brewing over the use of the word "footlong" by Subway Sandwiches. A convenience store chain in Iowa wants a federal court to rule the word belongs in the general English vocabulary and is not the special property of Subway and its 12-inch long sandwiches. Casey's General Stores... more »

• First espionage case underway in Louisiana's Middle District

  January 18, 2011 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The U.S. Attorney's Office says it's one of the first espionage cases ever tried in the Middle District of Louisiana. At least 80 potential jurors were subpoenaed for jury selection in the trial involving Wen Shyu Liu also known as David Liou. According to a federal... more »

• Man gets life in prison for role in drug ring

  December 15, 2010 4:50 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- A New Orleans man has been given a life sentence for his role in a heroin and cocaine ring. Rodney Bolton was sentenced in federal court today. U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Englehardt also gave Bolton a four-year sentence for three counts of using a telephone to... more »

• Former New Orleans official charged in federal court

  December 15, 2010 12:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A former New Orleans city official has been charged in federal court with taking more than $20,000 in payoffs from a businessman who did business with the city. Anthony Jones of New Orleans was the city's chief technology officer during former Mayor Ray Nagin's administration. A bill... more »

• White Castle officials back in court for motions hearing

  December 7, 2010 2:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - White Castle police chief Mario Brown and his brother, former White Castle mayor Maurice Brown, were back in federal court in Baton Rouge as more motions were heard ahead of their racketeering trial. Several pre-trial motions made by defense attorneys were denied or deferred by the... more »

• White Castle police chief, former mayor in court today

  December 6, 2010 11:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - White Castle Police Chief Mario Brown and his brother Maurice Brown, the town's former mayor, were both in federal court for a motions hearing this morning. Defense attorneys attempted to discredit audio recordings of the Browns taken during the FBI's Cifer 5000 public corruption investigation, and... more »

• BR abortion clinic, 4 others say new laws not constitutional

  November 18, 2010 6:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Five Louisiana abortion clinics, including one in Baton Rouge, have filed suit against the Department of Health and Hospitals, claiming new laws are not constitutional and could land them in bankruptcy. According to the suit, filed Wednesday in Federal Court, the new laws violate the clincs'... more »

• La. abortion clinics sue over state law

  November 18, 2010 6:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A third challenge to Louisiana's new abortion-clinic laws has been filed in Baton Rouge federal court. Five abortion clinics in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Metairie and Bossier City allege in their civil suit filed Wednesday that state regulatory officials now can shut them down for any alleged... more »

• Woman pleads guilty to defrauding American Red Cross

  October 26, 2010 5:03 PM

  A Hammond woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to defrauding the American Red Cross. According to court documents, 28-year-old Georgia Moore Brown admitted that she applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross on five occasions in fall 2005. She indicated she hadn’t received any... more »

• Gueydan fire chief pleads guilty to sex counts

  October 13, 2010 7:16 AM

  Suspended Gueydan Fire Chief Lindsey T. LeBlanc has pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of attempting to receive child pornography. LeBlanc acknowledged he asked two undercover officers posing as 14-year-old girls to perform bodily functions while he listened and masturbated during online chats in 2009 and 2010.... more »

• Potential bi-racial school committee members named

  October 6, 2010 6:35 PM

  St. Helena School Board Attorney Nelson Taylor filed in federal court 22 names of potential bi-racial committee members Tuesday. A judge had asked for the submission after he said he got letters from parents who do not trust school leaders in the parish. Two of those members have ideas... more »

• BP suit stays in federal court

  October 6, 2010 3:03 PM

  A lawsuit that several Louisiana district attorneys filed against BP PLC over the Gulf oil spill is staying in federal court. The district attorneys for Terrebonne, St. Tammany and St. Mary parishes wanted their lawsuit transferred to state court, but U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier rejected that request Wednesday. Barbier... more »

• St. Gabriel mayor pleads not guilty in federal court

  September 30, 2010 5:05 PM

  The mayor of St. Gabriel pleaded not guilty in federal court today following a wide-ranging racketeering and corruption investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge unsealed an indictment against George Grace yesterday for 11 counts of racketeering, bribery and mail fraud, among other charges. The indictment alleged Grace took... more »

• Court revives claims over Katrina levee breaches

  September 15, 2010 10:13 AM

  A federal appeals court has ruled that a government contractor isn't immune from liability for its work on a New Orleans floodwall and levee system that failed during Hurricane Katrina. Tuesday's ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revives claims against Washington Group International Inc. over Industrial Canal... more »

• St. Helena Parish split over 'color of money'

  September 8, 2010 10:26 PM

  People in St. Helena Parish are split over the idea of paying higher taxes to renovate the area's decrepit schools. Unfortunately, the line dividing those willing to pay could be drawn on the "color" of money. It's often heard in St. Helena Parish the entire controversy boils down to... more »

• Judge: Busing St. Helena students 'not an option'

  September 8, 2010 4:30 PM

  A federal judge said this afternoon that busing students out of the run-down St. Helena Schools and into other surrounding parishes is not going to happen. Judge James Brady told parties gathered in federal court today that busing students was "not an option... and will not be for the... more »

• BR woman gets more than 10 years in federal drug case

  August 26, 2010 5:31 PM

  A Baton Rouge woman has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for taking part in what prosecutors say was one of the largest cocaine distribution rings in the area. Thirty three-year-old Kenya Bunard Smith pleaded guilty to cocaine distribution charges in March 2009. Her arrest and... more »

• Blagojevich retrial set for January

  August 26, 2010 11:34 AM

  Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich won't be facing a retrial until next year. Federal Judge James Zagel said Thursday that he'll set a retrial date for early January. Zagel says the trial won't begin any earlier than Jan. 4. But he didn't immediately set a specific date. The new trial... more »

• St. Helena students could be in for long bus ride

  August 19, 2010 6:11 PM

  Students in St. Helena Parish could be bussed out of the parish for school in ten days. A motion argued at federal court this afternoon asked a judge to declare the two schools in the parish uninhabitable for students. The educators in St. Helena Parish said they're in desperate... more »

• Sentencing begins in Operation Illegal Motion

  August 19, 2010 11:27 AM

  Sentencing began today in Baton Rouge for ten city officials caught in a ticket-fixing scandal. The case is part of a federal investigation called "Operation Illegal Motion", which led to the resignation and arrest of several local leaders. Today, former senior city prosecutor Flitcher Bell was sentenced to... more »

• 4 plead guilty in disaster food stamp cases

  August 17, 2010 6:26 AM

  Four former state employees have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to disaster food stamp fraud. Angela Gray, Edie Harrison, Paula Bell, and Felicia Carroll all pled guilty. Gray, Harrison and Bell were employees of the state Department of Social Services in St. Mary Parish. Carroll worked for... more »

• Feds respond to motions by New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson

  August 12, 2010 4:28 PM

  A motion was filed in Federal Court this afternoon in opposition to New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson’s request for additional discovery in the corruption investigation against him and other local officials. Nelson’s attorneys filed motions earlier this week in Federal court. The first motion asked to reveal the identities of... more »

• Million dollar investment thief pleads guilty

  July 22, 2010 10:34 PM

  A swindler pleaded guilty in Baton Rouge to a scheme that stole nearly $6 million from about 40 investors. His admission doesn't bring much satisfaction. Those who lost money came out of court victorious. However, they weren't rejoicing. Even though Ray Aguillard will pay for his stealing, they... more »

• New Roads Mayor to be arraigned in Federal Court

  July 20, 2010 10:38 AM

  New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson is scheduled to be arraigned in Federal Court in Baton Rouge at 11:00a.m. this morning. Nelson, along with the White Castle mayor and police chief were recently indicted in "Operation Blighted Officials". I'll have a live report from the courthouse on News 2... more »

• Former Independence police chief sentenced in federal court

  July 16, 2010 1:36 PM

  The former Independence police chief will serve two years of probation after pleading guilty to tampering with his election in 2008. A federal judge in New Orleans handed down the sentence Thursday. Anthony Maurer admitted he had two of his officers provide false information on their voter registration... more »

• 2 indicted Monroe City councilmen enter pleas

  July 16, 2010 5:23 AM

  Two Monroe city councilmen accused of racketeering and bribery have each pleaded not guilty in federal court in Monroe. Arthur Gilmore Jr. and Robert "Red" Stevens were indicted by a federal grand jury last month. Federal prosecutors contend Stevens and Gilmore tried to extract bribes of about $8,700 in cash,... more »

• White Castle, New Roads officials released from federal custody

  July 8, 2010 12:53 PM

  White Castle Mayor Maurice Brown, his brother and White Castle police chief Mario Brown, and New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson appeared today in hand shackles before Judge Christine Noland in federal court. Judge Noland released the three men under their personal recognisance, assuming they follow pre-trial restrictions. Those include... more »

• Details emerge over death threats of government officials

  July 6, 2010 4:59 PM

  Court documents News 2 obtained highlight the haunting details surrounding an ex-soldier from Baton Rouge, accused of making death threats against President Barack Obama, White House Officials, Governor Bobby Jindal and Representative Bill Cassidy. Court documents show 26-year-old Abram Williams was denied disability payments from the State Office of... more »

• AG urges federal courts to block moratorium

  June 27, 2010 5:37 PM

  Attorney General Buddy Caldwell filed a second amicus brief yesterday urging the federal courts to block the moratorium on offshore drilling activity. "Each day this moratorium is in place, millions of dollars of income are lost to Louisiana citizens and by our state. Restoring the moratorium for even a... more »

• Mississippi man sentenced in Road Home fraud

  June 4, 2010 5:05 AM

  A man from Mississippi has been sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to one count of making false statements to a federal agency. Wayne L. Manning was sentenced to five years probation for a fraudulent application he made to the Louisiana Road Home Program after Hurricane Katrina. Manning also... more »

• Blagojevich: Feels 'great' as he arrives for trial

  June 3, 2010 11:26 AM

  A smiling Rod Blagojevich says he is feeling great as the former Illinois governor arrived at federal court for the start of his corruption trial. A relaxed-looking Blagojevich climbed out of a white sedan with his wife, Patti, at his side and wearing a dark blue pinstriped suit. He... more »

• LSU Professor keeps job for another week

  May 20, 2010 10:45 PM

  Ivor Van Heerden will keep his position for at least the next week. The judge wrapped court late tonight but said the hearing could not continue until next Thursday. Lawyers for LSU argue that Van Heerden's termination was strictly business and cited budget cuts for deciding not to renew... more »

• World famous professor tries to block firing

  April 9, 2010 5:37 PM

  A professor from LSU who became world famous for his research into why the levees failed after Hurricane Katrina is demanding his job back. Dr. Ivor van Heerden and his attorney Jill Craft filed an injunction in federal court to prevent the firing. The firing is scheduled to take... more »

• Attorney for LSU Professor tries to block firing

  April 9, 2010 1:33 PM

  The attorney representing LSU Professor Ivor van Heerden filed an injunction in federal court today to prevent his firing next month. Last year, the LSU gave van Heerden a notice he would be terminated on May 21, 2010. In February, van Heerden sued the University for damages, including emotional distress,... more »

• Stanford wants new attorneys

  March 30, 2010 12:48 PM

  Texas financier R. Allen Stanford is again asking for new attorneys as he awaits trial on charges he bilked investors out of $7 billion as part of a massive Ponzi scheme. A motion was filed in Houston federal court on Tuesday asking that Stanford's current two attorneys be replaced... more »

• Three plead not guilty to hacking tickets

  March 2, 2010 8:28 PM

  Three men accused of hacking Ticketmaster and other company computers to buy and resell concert and sporting event tickets pleaded not guilty in federal court in Newark, New Jersey. Prosecutors say Kenneth Lowson, Kristofer Kirsch and Joel Stevenson of California face conspiracy,wire fraud and other charges. They're accused of using... more »

• Leader of fraud scheme sentenced to 309 years

  February 17, 2010 4:14 PM

  Update: The leader of a massive fraud scheme will spend the rest of his life in a federal prison. Chief U.S. District Judge Ralph Tyson sentenced Robert Thompson to 309 years behind bars. Thompson led a massive identity theft and bribery scheme. He was sentenced on numerous fraud... more »

• Killer admits to murder he was acquitted of

  February 16, 2010 8:37 PM

  Court papers filed in Alaska indicate a 29-year old man admitted he killed his neighbor plus another woman he was acquitted of murdering. Its in a plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Alan Wade who is charged with the torture killing of his neighbor, Mindy Schloss in 2007 in Anchorage.... more »

• Andrews' stalker had other victims

  February 10, 2010 9:15 AM

  Erin Andrews apparently wasn't the only target of admitted voyeur Michael Barrett. Federal prosecutors filed a sentencing memo in Los Angeles federal court, accusing Barrett of uploading videos of 16 other women to an online account. The memo also alleged Barrett conducted 30 Internet background checks that can... more »

• Man pleads guilty to threatening to kill President Obama

  February 2, 2010 4:21 PM

  A New Orleans man pled guilty today in federal court to making threats to kill President Obama. 47-year-old John Turnpaugh admitted to dialing 911 on December 30, 2009 and telling a New Orleans police dispatcher that he planned to kill the president and First lady Michelle Obama. A Secret Service... more »

• Evelyn Holden to remain in federal custody

  January 13, 2010 3:54 PM

  The sister of Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden will remain in jail for violating terms of her release after pleading guilty in November to federal bribery charges. Holden admitted she took bribes in exchange for the dismissal of traffic cases in Baton Rouge City Court. After pleading guilty, she... more »

• Saints coach part of Chinese drywall lawsuit

  December 11, 2009 3:02 PM

  New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is one of about 2,100 plaintiffs named in a class-action lawsuit against a Chinese manufacturer of drywall that has allegedly damaged homes and sickened residents. Payton is listed as the lead plaintiff for the suit filed Wednesday against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co., but... more »

• Guilty pleas entered in federal court

  October 30, 2009 6:17 PM

  A former prosecutor in Baton Rouge City Court and an ex cop pled guilty to bribery charges in federal court Friday morning. This year, Prosecutor Flitcher Bell took money in exchange for the dismissal of traffic violations. He also took money for the dismissal of a case involving an... more »