Courts

Years into federal probe of New Orleans staged-crash scheme, questions mount

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Jan 7, 2024

With sentencing dates next month for two key players, doubts are growing that federal prosecutors will seek charges against more local attorneys, or even doctors who performed surgeries on pa…

Sharon Lewis ordered to pay Les Miles in lawsuit claiming LSU coverup; here's how much

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT | Staff writer
Updated Jan 5, 2024

A judge Friday ordered former LSU athletics administrator Sharon Lewis and her lead attorney, Larry English, to pay almost $200,000 in sanctions to Les Miles, saying their lawsuit accusing the…

Claiming she was illegally fired, incoming St. Tammany clerk of court sues DA's office

BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer
Jan 5, 2024

St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court-elect Jessica Brewster is suing her former employer, the northshore District Attorney’s Office, claiming that she was illegally fired because she ran for elec…

Noted defense attorney Buddy Lemann dies. 'A hero to me and a legend to everybody.'

BY FAIMON A. ROBERTS III | Staff writer
Jan 2, 2024

Arthur "Buddy" Lemann III, a noted New Orleans criminal defense attorney who represented accused mob bosses, alleged pedophile priests and other high-profile clients over a long career, died D…

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Newman’s Randy Livingston to return to coaching after judge's ruling

By CHRISTOPHER DABE | Staff writer
Dec 29, 2023

Suspended for one year, he may resume work until court hearing Jan. 18

Suspended Newman basketball coach Randy Livingston sues LHSAA

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE | Staff writer
Dec 29, 2023

He alleges he was denied due process hearing

Louisiana could be in line for a second Black Supreme Court justice. Here's how.

By JOSEPH CRANNEY | Staff writer
Updated Dec 29, 2023

A majority of Louisiana's Supreme Court justices say the high court district maps can be redrawn in time for the Fall 2024 election.

Appeals court stops upcoming St. John Parish trials over Maurepas diversion land

BY MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN | Staff writer
Dec 29, 2023

A state appeals court has found that a St. John the Baptist Parish judge violated state law in attempting to hold trials next month to determine how much the state must pay for some properties…

Ex-Louisiana life prisoner can run for Democratic party committee seat in New Orleans, judge rules

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Dec 28, 2023

Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Paulette Irons rejects challenge to candidacy of Norris Henderson, who founded Voice of the Experienced.

Judges call former DEA agent Chad Scott 'rogue,' side with man who wants 2006 plea vacated

By FAIMON A. ROBERTS III | Staff writer
Dec 23, 2023

Appeals court orders new look at drug conspiracy conviction

Lafayette judge acquits women arrested for protesting Jeff Landry anti-abortion position

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR | Staff writer
Updated Dec 22, 2023

Two women arrested in Lafayette in 2022 for protesting Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry's stand against abortion have been found not guilty of being too loud.

Baton Rouge judge eases NBA YoungBoy's house arrest; he posts TikTok video handing out cash

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Dec 22, 2023

Chart-topping Baton Rouge rap star NBA YoungBoy’s house arrest got a bit more lax this week, but a federal judge refused to spring him from his in-home detention for video shoots, studio sessi…

Imprisoned former St. John the Baptist Parish judge loses appeal over convictions on sex crimes

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Dec 22, 2023

Elzey "Jeff" Perilloux, 56, is serving a 14-year sentence after his conviction on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

New Orleans Catholic archdiocese bankruptcy case ends year with slight progress

By STEPHANIE RIEGEL | Staff writer
Dec 21, 2023

Amount to be paid to clergy sex abuse victims still not determined

Jury dismisses lawsuit by ex-LSU athletics administrator Sharon Lewis claiming retaliation

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Updated Dec 20, 2023

A jury dismissed all claims Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by former LSU athletics administrator Sharon Lewis accusing top officials of retaliating against her for reporting sexual misconduct.

Four convicted in $6 million scheme to defraud federal home aid program for veterans

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Dec 20, 2023

Two north shore men are among the four who pleaded guilty this year to wire fraud for a scheme that prosecutors say defrauded the government of more than $6 million.

Law license of Nicole Burdett, former law partner of DA Jason Williams, suspended for 2 years

BY JILLIAN KRAMER | Staff writer
Dec 20, 2023

The Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that it would suspend for two years the law license of Nicole Burdett, a former law partner of New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams who…

Top LSU coaches, officials rebut Sharon Lewis' accusations from witness stand: 'She's lying'

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Updated Dec 20, 2023

Lawyers representing former LSU athletics recruiter Sharon Lewis spent five days presenting evidence to jurors that she was sexually harassed, discriminated against and subjected to a hostile …

Court revives ex-Loyola journalism director's defamation suit against university

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Dec 19, 2023

Sonya Duhé alleges she was defamed as racist in newspaper stories and a university-wide email

Michael Harrison, former NOPD chief, to be consultant for DA's Office

BY JILLIAN KRAMER | Staff writer
Dec 19, 2023

Harrison, who left the NOPD to lead Baltimore's police force until this year, inked the deal in a Wednesday press conference.

In dispute over evidence in serial killer case, judge gives ultimatum to Louisiana crime lab

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Updated Dec 20, 2023

Calling its actions "incomprehensible," a federal judge has ordered the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab to stop flouting his past orders and analyze fingerprints left at crime scenes that mig…

Sharon Lewis: stint at LSU 'one of the worst experiences of my life'

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Dec 18, 2023

She stepped gingerly to the witness stand with the help of a cane. She spoke calmly, occasionally looking at jurors and flashing an affirming smile as she answered questions.

Veteran State Police trooper reinstated after charges he faced in Ronald Greene case dropped

BY JIM MUSTIAN | Associated Press
Dec 18, 2023

The Louisiana State Police have reinstated a veteran trooper who had been accused of withholding graphic body-camera video showing another officer dragging Black motorist Ronald Greene by his …

Girls convicted in Linda Frickey's killing to be transferred to adult prison, judge orders

BY JILLIAN KRAMER | Staff writer
Dec 18, 2023

They had been held in New Orleans' juvenile detention.

More subpoenas issued in federal investigation into New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell

BY GORDON RUSSELL | Staff writer
Dec 18, 2023

A third businessman who contributed money to Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s political campaigns has been contacted by federal investigators in recent weeks, in another sign that the probe into the ma…

U-Haul chase along Bayou Lafourche ends with crash into canefield, sheriff's office says

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
Updated Dec 18, 2023

Driving a U-Haul truck, a St. James Parish man led authorities this summer on a lengthy chase down a narrow, two-lane highway along Bayou Lafourche before he crashed into farm equipment in Cha…

Delays in immigration process prompt frustrations. Denham Springs couple sues feds.

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Dec 18, 2023

Adilene Fernandez Amaro has been vying for American citizenship for the past 6½ years.

Supreme Court looks at abortion again; Louisiana is involved

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Dec 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court is going to weigh in on abortions — this time on access to the two-pill mifepristone regimen, for medical abortions — and once again, Louisiana …