Pubdate: Tue, 19 Mar 2002
Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 The Times-Picayune
Contact:  http://www.nola.com/t-p/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848
Author: Laura Maggi, The Times-Picayune

PROSTITUTION, DRUG PROBE REMAINS IN LIMBO IN B.R.

New U.S. Attorney Awaiting FBI Report

BATON ROUGE -- A federal investigation into possible public corruption, 
prostitution and drug trafficking that caused ripples in political circles 
last summer, remains open, U.S. Attorney David Dugas said Monday.

Dugas said he is waiting for a report from the FBI -- based on information 
gathered by the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's department -- before his 
office determines whether to close the case. That report is expected soon, 
Dugas, the new U.S. attorney for the Middle District, told the Baton Rouge 
Press Club.

The sheriff's office arrested eight people last summer on drug or 
prostitution charges, while alluding in affidavits to a larger probe into 
political corruption. Jeffrey Carl Richardson, an Alexandria businessman 
and friend of House Speaker Charlie DeWitt, D-Lecompte, was one of those 
arrested, booked on prostitution and pandering charges.

DeWitt has not been named by law enforcement as a target, but he inserted 
himself into the case last summer by hiring a prominent criminal defense 
attorney and issuing a statement denying wrongdoing.

Sheriff's department Maj. Bud Connor said his office has submitted its case 
to the U.S. attorney and local District Attorney Doug Moreau. Whether to 
press forward with charges is up to Dugas or Moreau, Connor said.

Moreau did not return a call seeking comment.

Among those arrested in the probe were a dancer with the Baton Rouge Gold 
Club and her husband, a local businessman who has been accused of dealing 
drugs in a separate case. Others included the part-owner of a Baton Rouge 
Italian restaurant, now closed; a radio station advertising representative; 
and a former Gold Club waitress.

Asked how the public will know if he has closed the case, Dugas said his 
office's policy is to send a letter to those involved to let them know when 
a probe has been dropped. Because the allegations received so much 
publicity, he said it is likely the defense attorneys would disclose that 
the case was closed.
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