NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
JANUARY 24, 2008

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - BURNELL MOLIERE, age 58, a resident of Destrehan, Louisiana, pled guilty today in the United States District Court before U. S. District Judge Eldon J. Fallon to a one-count bill of information charging him with illegally structuring a financial transaction to evade federal currency transaction reporting requirements, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten today.

According to facts contained in the bill of information and factual basis, acknowledged by MOLIERE in federal court this morning, Ellenese Brooks-Simms contacted MOLIERE in January of 2005 to cash a $40,000 check she received from local businessman (Mr. A) as a "kickback" in connection with her promotion and approval of an Orleans Parish School Board's contract involving the lease/purchase of a computer based educational system. After agreeing to cash the check written to a nominee payee they both knew, MOLIERE deposited the check into his personal bank account. MOLIERE then structured the release of the funds through an elaborate series of subsequent financial transactions designed to evade the federal currency transaction reporting requirements surrounding the cashing of any check over $10,000 and to conceal the flow of illicit monies between Mr. A and Ellenese Brooks-Simms. The scheme involved the use of multiple cash withdrawals and the use of straw-payee cash checkers and occurred in January of 2005.

At sentencing, under the federal statute, MOLIERE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2008 at 2:00 P.M.

The United States Attorney Jim Letten stated that this and related investigations which have yielded MOLIERE'S and Brooks-Simms' convictions continues:

"As we consistently achieve successes in our war against corruption in the City of New Orleans and the region, as we demonstrate our determination to rebuild a more accountable, transparent, and honest government, and better way of life for our people, let the citizens we serve take heart that we will exploit every advantage, apply all appropriate leverage, and will press on toward our goals. Make no mistake about it: as we acquire more weapons in our arsenal against corruption - including the city's new Inspector General and our local partners, the United States Attorney's Office, the FBI and all of our partners will not stand down, slow down or rest in this long term campaign upon which the survival of our city depends."

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Education. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Salvador Perricone, Richard R. Pickens, II and Michael Simpson.

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