U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana
501 Magazine St, Second Floor
New Orleans, LA 70130
Tel: 504.680.3000
Fax: 504.589.4510

For Immediate Release

June 15, 2006

NEW ORLEANS TRAFFIC COURT “CHIEF CLERK” SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON

Jim Letten, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and James Bernizanni, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation announce that ANTHONY THOMAS, former Chief Clerk for Section B in Orleans Parish Traffic Court has been sentenced to federal prison. On Wednesday, United States District Judge Mary Ann Lemmon sentenced ANTHONY THOMAS to a thirteen (13) month term of imprisonment followed by a three (3) year term of supervised release. Federal Judge Lemmon ordered THOMAS to report to the U. S. Bureau of Prisons on July 15, 2006.

ANTHONY “TONY” THOMAS, had been the Chief Clerk in one of the four sections of New Orleans Traffic Court up until he was caught accepting cash bribes for corruptly dismissing traffic tickets by the members of the FBI.

THOMAS was the tenth public official convicted and sentenced arising out of a two-year graft investigation into New Orleans Traffic Court. Also convicted were: ALVIN WEDDLE, former Assistant City Attorney for Orleans Parish; JAMES W. LEE former Supervisor of Community Service for Criminal District Court and Orleans Parish Traffic Court; MICKEY TORREGANO former Secretary for Section D; BERNETTA J. CLAILBORNE former Minute Clerk for Section D; GLENDA HAMLIN former Court Reporter for Section D; BOBBY GRANT former Grounds Patrol Officer for Orleans Parish Traffic Court, WILLIAM EVANS, former Deputy Clerk/Cashier for Orleans Parish Traffic Court, Algiers Courthouse; EDWIN E. BURKS former Assistant City Attorney; and RONNIE OWENS, consultant and former employee of the New Orleans City Attorney’s Office and, before that, the New Orleans Police Department. All of these individuals were indicted, convicted, and sentenced for their involvement in a scheme to accept cash bribes or payoffs in exchange for dismissing traffic tickets.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with the U. S. Attorney’s Office conducted an undercover investigation into New Orleans Traffic Court for approximately two years. According court documents, the FBI utilized hidden video, audio equipment and cooperating witnesses to record several Traffic Court employees and public officials who all knowingly and intentionally solicited cash bribes and/or other kickbacks for the unauthorized dismissal of traffic citations. The U. S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will continue with the investigation.

As a result of these offenses, these individuals caused the transmission of inaccurate and incomplete data to the Driver Management Database, a protected computer utilized by the State of Louisiana, Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Driver Management Database contains the driving records of Louisiana drivers. All state and federal law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and other approved governmental agencies access the OMV’s Driver Management Database to obtain information on individual driving records. In addition, the OMV has the legal obligation to provide driving records to insurance companies.

According to U. S. Attorney Jim Letten, “the pursuit and prosecution of anyone involved in public corruption in the City of New Orleans will be investigated by the FBI and will be vigorously prosecuted by the U. S. Attorney’s Office. With the help of the community, the U. S. Attorney’s Office hopes to accomplish its goal of making New Orleans a better and safer place to live, one free of violence, corruption, and intimidation.”