Prosecutors discuss more investigations, obstruction of justice
Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 3:13 a.m.
BATON ROUGE, La. - Federal attorneys who prosecuted former Gov. Edwin Edwards in a casino licensing corruption trial said in a closed door meeting that there was an ongoing investigation into possible misconduct related to that case.
Prosecutors said the investigation dealt with possible obstruction of justice and juror or witness tampering, but didn't name who was being investigated or explain the scope of the matter, according to a transcript of the Dec. 7 meeting, released late Wednesday.
"We believe that there is an open investigation now concerning obstruction of justice and witness tampering, and we plan on pursuing this strenuously," Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Magner told U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola in a meeting in the judge's chambers.
When asked about the comments in the transcript, Edwards said Thursday that he had no knowledge of any such investigation.
"They have on a number of occasions made statements that were improper, and on most instances there never was any follow up," Edwards said of the prosecutors. "I don't know of any such investigation. I don't know what they were thinking when they said that."
The former four-term Democratic governor was convicted in May, along with his son Stephen and three other men, on charges he extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars from businessmen applying for riverboat casino licenses during and after his final term in office.
All the men plan to appeal. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin Monday.
The misconduct comments were made during a discussion between attorneys and Polozola concerning allegations that the jury foreman made statements about his belief in the guilt of Edwards two years before he was ever selected for the jury.
The foreman, Juror 64, denied the allegations. The names of the jurors were not disclosed so jurors are referred to only by their numbers.
After court marshals investigated the matter and Polozola interviewed the foreman and two witnesses, the judge said he saw no basis to excuse the juror or declare a mistrial.
During the testimony in chambers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said the government planned to "pursue investigation of possible jury tampering and possible obstruction of justice."
The prosecutors didn't indicate if the misconduct investigation only was limited to the accusations against the foreman or a broader variety of allegations.
Letten said Thursday he would not comment further on the investigation.
Jim Cole, attorney for Edwards' son Stephen, said he knew of no instances of tampering or obstruction from the defendants in the riverboat case.
After ruling against dismissing the juror, Polozola said he was concerned about the number of times people have claimed jurors in the trial had talked about the case.
Polozola said he wanted to make sure it was not an attempt to obstruct justice or harass the individual jurors, who remain anonymous.
"Frankly, I'm getting tired of people beating up this jury," he said.
In earlier unsealed documents, Polozola said he used an anonymous jury mainly because of accusations of juror tampering in Edwards' criminal trials in the 1980s.
Edwards was indicted in 1985 on racketeering charges based on hospital and nursing home investments. After one mistrial, he was acquitted.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Trial delayed for man accused of shooting 3 officers
- Kruger hoping his team will play with grit
- Ten minutes with Chelsea Handler is better than no minutes with Chelsea Handler
- Pricing out wagers on the Pacquiao-Cotto fight
- RTC bus driver fired, arrested after allegedly attacking woman
- Two second-graders involved in shooting at bus stop
- CityCenter Realtors hit with cut in commissions
- Privé owner files for bankruptcy protection in Florida
- Trainers scuffle at Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto weigh-in
- Shanghai’s maglev: Flying with both feet on the ground
Blogs
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (5 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Harry Reid's fourth TV ad begins running today
The Greene Room
Chad Ochocinco vs. Anderson Silva? That would be a sight ... (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: The three stages of chefdom
Miech Again
Rebels rookie Lopez says redshirting is his best move (12 Comments)
Calendar »
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
-
Pacquiao vs. Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
MGM Grand Garden Arena | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Friends of India Diwali Celebration at Cashman Field with Dan Nainan
Cashman Field | 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Norm MacDonald at the House of Blues
House of Blues
-
Boulder City Art Guild Winter Fest Fine Art Show
Boulder City Parks & Recreation
-
John Fogerty at the Star of the Desert Arena
Star of the Desert Arena | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 5th annual Carnivale du Vin
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati








