Pubdate: Sat, 29 Mar 2003
Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA)
00.xml
Copyright: 2003 The Times-Picayune
Contact:  http://www.nola.com/t-p/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848
Author: Martha Carr

ACCESS TO PLEADINGS SOUGHT IN JEFF CASE

The judge handling the drug conspiracy case against former Jefferson Parish 
Judge Ronald Bodenheimer improperly held a closed-door court hearing and 
sealed more than 20 pleadings, according to a motion filed Friday by The 
Times-Picayune.

Attorneys for The Times-Picayune asked U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan 
to unseal the pleadings and to provide the newspaper with transcripts from 
any closed court proceedings.

The only document in the public court record that might explain the sealed 
pleadings is a Sept. 11 protective order that relates to surveillance 
federal investigators conducted on Bodenheimer's court chambers and 
telephones during an 8 1/2-month investigation into possible corruption at 
the Jefferson Parish Courthouse.

The newspaper's motion contends Berrigan's sealing of the pleadings is 
improper because she did not hold a hearing and because she provided no 
explanation of what the pleadings are or why they are under seal.

The judge also closed a hearing Wednesday on a defense motion to suppress 
the wiretap evidence without the standard procedure of providing notice 
that she was considering closing the hearing or holding a hearing to 
address why secrecy was required.

The defense's suppression motion was denied, but Berrigan, who was 
appointed by President Clinton, kept her reasons for denying it secret. She 
also issued a gag order in the case the same day.

Bodenheimer is scheduled to go to trial April 14 on charges that he 
conspired to plant drugs on an FBI informant who had criticized the 
operation of his Venetian Isles Marina. He has pleaded innocent and remains 
under house arrest.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth