Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and his son were indicted on federal charges in connection with a riverboat casino corruption investigation. Also charged in the case were three Edwards associates and a state senator.
Edwards was charged with 30 counts, including racketeering, extortion, conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and illegal wiretapping, in connection with extracting money from applicants for riverboat casino licenses, or, in the case of the wiretapping, trying the thwart the federal investigation. The
riverboats were Treasure Chest, in suburban New Orleans, Players in Lake Charles, Belle of
Baton Rouge and the 15th
riverboat license, which has not yet been granted.
The maximum penalty is 350 years, $7.25 million fine and restitution or forfeiture of $3.1 million.
The others charged - Stephen Edwards, Cecil Brown, Bobby Johnson, Andrew Martin and State Sen. Greg Tarver (D-Shreveport) were charged with anywhere from five to 27 counts, with maximum penalties ranging from 75 to 305 years, and $1 to $6.5 million in fines.