Louisiana attorney general passes on sanctions against Orleans judges for suspect spending

By John Simerman, NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune

Louisiana Attorney General James “Buddy” Caldwell’s office has declined to take any action against the judges of Orleans Parish criminal or civil court over their spending on extra insurance and lavish travel. The decision comes four months after the state legislative auditor issued a blistering report on the spending habits of the judges, and more than 18 months after Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro fired off a strident letter to Caldwell, arguing that the supplemental insurance spending was illegal and might warrant booting the judges from the bench.

The legislative auditor’s report found that the 13 Criminal Court judges in Orleans Parish collectively held 249 supplemental insurance policies fully funded by the court. The average judge held 19 policies at a cost of $14,500.

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s office found that the judges in criminal, civil and city courts illegally used public funds — fees and fines paid by convicts — to buy more than $800,000 in “excessive and unnecessary” insurance above their state-funded plans.

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