Ellenese Brooks-Simms' Daughter Helped Mother Conceal Bribes

Ellenese Brooks-Simms parenting skills have created another criminal in her family. It seems that "Mama Simms" has taught her daughter to follow in her footsteps:

Stacy Simms, a City Hall appointee under two New Orleans mayors and the daughter of former Orleans Parish School Board President Ellenese Brooks-Simms, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to helping her mother access a series of bribes that totaled $140,000 over several years.

Simms, 47, a city appointee from 1994 to 2004, was hired by former Mayor Marc Morial and continued to serve during the first two years of Mayor Ray Nagin's administration. She worked in the office of communications as director of community affairs and special events.

More recently, Simms has worked for the Fair Grounds as a consultant. She also has served on the boards of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans and the Committee for a Better New Orleans.

The charge to which Simms pleaded guilty Tuesday, misprision of a felony, is itself a felony. It refers to knowing of a federal crime and helping to conceal it; it is a charge prosecutors often assign to defendants who have agreed to cooperate in public-corruption cases.

A summary of the government's case says that Simms allowed a bank account to be opened in her name and "used as a clearinghouse for bribe payments."

Simms faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison, though she is likely to receive far less because of her cooperation. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18 by U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, who accepted her guilty plea Tuesday.


Does "Mama Simms" have any grandchildren who may be seeking a plea deal?