Former Louisiana Governor Indicted
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.
Louisiana Gaming Company Hit with Fine
Players International, Inc. will have to pay the state of Louisiana $10.2 million and sell its two Lake Charles riverboats for failing to report its dealings with pizza restauranteur Richard Shetler, who has admitted to funneling a total of $550,000 in cash and goods from Players to Edwin Edwards and his son Stephen as part of a four-year conspiracy to extort money from the riverboat company. The settlement with the Louisiana Gaming Board follows an investigation into allegations Players paid money under the table to help it secure a riverboat gaming license during the administration of former Governor Edwards. In a report released in August, 1999, Special Assistant Attorney General Raymond Lamonica concluded Players should be fined and stripped of its Louisiana gaming licenses.
Trial of Former Governor Begins
Jury selection has begun in the trial of former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, his son, and four co-defendants. They are charged with conspiring to extort mony from those who wanted to obtain riverboat gaming licenses between 1991 and 1996. The extortion schemes allegedly began in 1991, continued through Edwards' fourth and final term as governor from 1992 to 1996, and went on after he left office but still retained political clout in the state.
