FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS THREE FORMER ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DRENA CLAY and DEBRA HARRISON were convicted today by a federal jury sitting in New Orleans after a seven-day trial of charges relating to a scheme to illegally obtain Orleans Parish School System funds in an extortion conspiracy as well as a program fraud conspiracy, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. Co-defendant WALTER TARDY was also convicted today of lying to a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. WILLIE MOORE, NOBLE GARNER and LILLIE CARMOUCHE were acquitted of all charges.

Specifically, DRENA CLAY was convicted of an extortion, as well as an extortion conspiracy. CLAY was also convicted of a program fraud conspiracy and program fraud. DEBRA HARRISON were convicted of an extortion as well as an extortion conspiracy. She was also convicted of a program fraud conspiracy and two counts of lying to the FBI. WALTER TARDY was convicted a false statement to federal agents during the course of the investigation.

CLAY and HARRISON each face a maximum penalty of 55 years imprisonment, $1.25 million in fines, and three (3) years of supervised release. TARDY faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three (3) years supervised release. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 20, 2008.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carter Guice, Jr., Daniel Friel, and Richard Rose.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: KATHY ENGLISH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007 PHONE: (504) 680-3068 <http://WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAE> WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAE FAX: (504) 589-4978

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS THREE FORMER ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DRENA CLAY and DEBRA HARRISON were convicted today by a federal jury sitting in New Orleans after a seven-day trial of charges relating to a scheme to illegally obtain Orleans Parish School System funds in an extortion conspiracy as well as a program fraud conspiracy, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. Co-defendant WALTER TARDY was also convicted today of lying to a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. WILLIE MOORE, NOBLE GARNER and LILLIE CARMOUCHE were acquitted of all charges. Specifically, DRENA CLAY was convicted of an extortion, as well as an extortion conspiracy. CLAY was also convicted of a program fraud conspiracy and program fraud. DEBRA HARRISON were convicted of an extortion as well as an extortion conspiracy. She was also convicted of a program fraud conspiracy and two counts of lying to the FBI. WALTER TARDY was convicted a false statement to federal agents during the course of the investigation. CLAY and HARRISON each face a maximum penalty of 55 years imprisonment, $1.25 million in fines, and three (3) years of supervised release. TARDY faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three (3) years supervised release. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 20, 2008. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carter Guice, Jr., Daniel Friel, and Richard Rose.