Former New Orleans Councilman Oliver Thomas Reports To Prison Today

Former New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas reports to a federal prison, in Atlanta, at noon today.

According to the Times Picayune, Thomas has said the following:

I just want to pay my debt to society,"; "I'm not angry at anybody. I've asked God to forgive me and I'm working to forgive myself. I want to move on with my life."

What the former Councilman failed to realize is that his debt to society will never be paid since he failed to cooperate with the federal governments' probe into political corruption. Yes, God will forgive him but can he really move on if deception remains a large part of his life?

One has to wonder: Why did Stan "Pampy" Barre feel so comfortable with approaching him in the first place? It is obvious that Stan "Pampy" Barre, did not feel that he could approach Nagin with such an offer. Stan "Pampy" Barre may be an ignorant individual but what did he see in Oliver Thomas? Apparently he felt that bribing Oliver Thomas would not be reported to the feds.

Additionally, it was reported several times that Oliver Thomas' guilty plea was part of a plea agreement between him and the U.S. attorney's office. At no time did he say that there was no plea agreement. Why would he later tell the judge that he could not "make up stuff"?

This statement is also troubling: On Wednesday, Thomas declined to elaborate on the matter but indicated he was at peace with the decision to maintain his silence.

If Oliver Thomas had no other information to provide to the feds, then why would he feel the need to "be at peace with the decision to maintain his silence"?

Lastly, Oliver Thomas should be placed in the Guinness Book of World Records if he want the citizens of New Orleans to believe that he will be serving a 37 month prison sentence for committing one crime. A criminal getting caught after their first crime is something that children may read about in fairy tales but adults know that that sort of thing NEVER HAPPENS.

Judgement Day for Oliver Thomas

Ollie will be reporting to the federal pen tomorrow as a result of accepting a bribe from Stan "Pampy" Barre. He will always be known for his refusal to cooperate with the government that would have helped the City rid itself of other corrupt individuals.

I hope he can live with that decision. One thing he should realize though is that the citizens of New Orleans will never forget "his lack of cooperation".

Happy New Year, New Orleans

I hope this year provide the city with hope and optimism. I believe the City will recover and become a great place to live. I would like to thank all of those who have not turned their backs on New Orleans. I am grateful for people like Brad Pitt who has devoted his time and money to help New Orleans rebuild.

I am also grateful for the U.S. Attorney's office who have worked diligently in cleaning out political corruption in our great city. Yes, we can rebuild; but we do need to attract businesses to the City. I believe we first must make corporations feel that they can do business, in our City, on an equal playing field if we are to succeed. Keep up the good work, Jim Letten, and I hope this is the year when more corrupt individuals are brought to justice.

Say It Ain't So Jefferson

Jefferson evidently had no idea how much legal danger he was about to get himself into. How could he have known that when he invited the FBI in for a chat a team of agents was positioned down the block, hidden from sight and ready to swarm his home to conduct a floor-to-ceiling search?

Did he think they were there for tea and crumpets?

"I said, 'Do you have time to speak to a couple of my agents? They want to talk to you,'¤" Bernazzani said. "He said fine .¤.¤. He was very gracious, very accommodating."

Bernazzani had nothing but kind words for the congressman.

"He was a gentleman. He's always a gentleman," the agent said.

With Jefferson's acquiescence, Bernazzani waved two other agents up from the street, introduced them to the congressman and left the Marengo Street house. Jefferson ushered agents Thibault and Daniel Evans into his living room and they all sat down.

We all have the FBI over, early in the morning, just for a chat. How did they ambush Jefferson with these tactics? It is time for William Jefferson to face the inevitable: A PRISON TERM

Could Sen. David Vitter Go To Jail?

Jail time is a possibility, for Senator David Vitter, if the D.C. Madam has her way:

The attorney for the "D.C. Madam" wants Sen. David Vitter, R-La., held in contempt of court for failing to adequately respond to a subpoena in her prostitution case. Lawyer Montgomery Sibley asked U.S. District Judge James Robertson to lock up the senator until he complies.

Vitter was subpoenaed to testify in mid-December at a hearing about telephone calls he placed to an escort service between 1999 and 2001, but the hearing was canceled. According to court papers, his attorney, Hank Asbill, said that the senator had no records requested by the defendant, Deborah Jeane Palfrey.

Nonetheless, her attorney told the court that Asbill "refuses to indicate what efforts were made by Sen. Vitter to comply with the subpoena of his documents" and that he wants the senator held in contempt. The judge has not ruled.

Should Vitter be held in contempt?

Tired of Corruption In "The Big Easy"?????

Then the Metropolitan Crime Commission may be the answer:

The commission gets about 100 tips a month on its local hot line, and another 20 or so on a new statewide corruption line. About 15-20 percent provide enough information to warrant consideration.

Tips that show particular promise are passed on to law enforcement and prosecutors, often on the federal level where virtually all successful public corruption cases in New Orleans are handled.

What Is Going On With Gusman

It seems that Marlin Gusman incompetence will never end. First he was over charging the state for housing prisoners, now he is allowing prisoners to go free.

Elton Phillips, the accused armed robber mistakenly released from the Orleans Parish jail last week, was arrested Thursday by the Hammond police, according to the Hammond Police Department.

Lt. Vincent Giannobile, spokesman for the Hammond Police Department, said Phillips was arrested about 12:30 p.m., after the department received an anonymous call that he was in the area. Police officers stopped a rented Toyota Corolla, in which Phillips was a passenger, driving on Old Baton Rouge Highway west of Hammond, Giannobile said. Phillips was arrested without incident, he said.

By Thursday afternoon Phillips was back at the jail run by Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Marlin Gusman.

Maybe Marlin Gusman should be under investigation. Should we wait until his actions cost someone their life? Inaction may be the better word. Either way, New Orleans will surely suffer.

Santa Was Upset At 'Ollie' This Year

Santa was upset with Ollie this year.

The corruption probe at the North Pole wasn't going well. Comet had agreed to tell Santa everything he knew about the rampant bribery schemes stemming from parking contracts for the sleigh. But now he was refusing to talk.

"I'm a reindeer, not a rat," he said.

Santa was furious. "I wish I could get Jim Letten up here," he grumbled as he made a note on his Hollyberry to move the U.S. attorney's name up a few notches on the nice list.

But North Pole corruption was only part of what was eating Santa. The naughty side of his ledger was so long that he feared an imminent environmental crisis from the coal-mining.

Santa sadly shook his head as he moved Oliver Thomas out of the nice column for taking bribes. The former New Orleans city councilman acknowledged that the city needs to be cleaned up, but then he refused to help out prosecutors.



Don't worry Santa. January 3rd. is soon approaching. Ollie will soon realize what happens to naughty LITTLE BOYS.

New Orleans' Old Houses In The Spotlight

Rashida Ferdinand sits in front of her house in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Monday. The television program, "This Old House" will cover in great detail the rebuilding of her 1892 Creole shotgun-style home. The show's 10-episode series featuring New Orleans area homes is scheduled to begin airing nationally next month on PBS.
Alex Brandon: AP
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Audiences will follow homeowner Rashida Ferdinand, 32, a fourth-generation resident of the neighborhood, as she rebuilds the home she purchased in 2004, about a year before Katrina smashed levees and inundated her home with floodwater.

As cameras rolled, her home was buzzing with construction workers hanging drywall and installing French doors.

A ceramic artist by trade, Ferdinand called finding the home "a blessing" because of its lot size, art studio out back and location near the Mississippi River. But it was the history of the neighborhood she cherished most.

"The 9th Ward was a place of pioneers, a place where people found land, built on the land and started communities, especially right here along the river," she said.

Though it's taken more than two years to rebuild her dream, Ferdinand expects to be in the house by February. She's "on the forefront of the rebuild" in the Lower 9th Ward, said This Old House host Kevin O'Connor.

New Orleans' Population Increases

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Despite slow progress in rebuilding some neighborhoods, New Orleans' population is nearing 300,000, or about 65 percent of its pre-Hurricane Katrina size, according to a new report.

The report, compiled by urban planning consultancy GCR & Associates and based on utility hookups, estimates the population at 295,450 and predicts it will surpass the 300,000 mark soon. That will put it on par with cities like Tampa, Fla., and Pittsburgh and provide a "significant indication of New Orleans' sustained viability as a major city and as an anchor for a large metropolitan area," the report says.

Feds Give Out Christmas Presents To 4 Convicted Felons

Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends and to celebrate the season by giving out gifts. The federal government has decided to hone in on the holiday spirit by issuing out Christmas gifts of their own; delaying prison sentences to four New Orleans' criminals who are guilty of corruption:

Former Orleans Parish School Board President Ellenese Brooks-Simms, restaurateur Stan "Pampy" Barré, businessman Reginald Walker and former Johnson Controls project manager Terry Songy all were scheduled to be sentenced the second week of January.

All of their sentencing dates have been delayed until April. Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas..you felons.

Last Minute Shopping

Looking for an Xbox this year? Well don't worry. You won't have to be concerned with Stan "Pampy" Barre, III stealing your Xbox. He is still serving his sentence. One of the items stolen in the home burglary...An Xbox. Now after his sentence is served, you may have something to worry about.


New Orleans: You are safe now from the former New Orleans' resident who is serving his home detention sentence in Federal Way, Washington. Gear up for next year though and try to protect your home from this residential burglar. Have a great Sunday!!!

Duncan Plaza Being Vacated

While agencies are moving the homeless out of Duncan Plaza, they are calling on landlords to make more housing available:

Agencies are counting on permanent case management services for those with physical and mental disabilities, which is part of a hurricane recovery permanent supportive housing plan under the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Nonprofits are counting on Congress to finance some 3,000 permanent supportive rental vouchers designated for low-income people with severe mental and physical disabilities.

UNITY and other agencies hope to get the homeless out of hotels and into apartments by January. The agencies can't continue to pay for low-cost hotel rooms for much longer and need landlords to work with them to lower rents. So far, 157 landlords are part of the effort.

Open leter to Barbie (Barb): Come on Barbie; lend a hand. Your hubby, The Pamp, stole enough from the City of New Orleans. Give back by renting to these people.

New Orleans City Council Unanimously Support Public Housing Demolition

Everyone has heard by now that the New Orleans city council has approved demolition of four public housing complexes in New Orleans. Sure, some protesters were physically beaten but they have vowed to keep on fighting.

Endesha Juakali, a protest leader arrested on a charge of disturbing the peace, said Thursday's confrontation with the council was not the last breath from protesters.

"For everything they do, we have to make them pay a political consequence," Juakali said. He vowed that when the bulldozers try to demolish the St. Bernard complex, "it's going to be an all out effort."

For weeks, protesters have been gearing up to battle with bulldozers and have discussed a variety of tactics, including lying in front of the machinery.

Let's see what the 'political consequence' will be. Do politicians, in New Orleans, ever have to face political consequences for their actions?

Penalties Increase for Disaster Related Fraud

The House on Wednesday unanimously passed legislation making it a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison to fraudulently seek disaster assistance. The bill also increases fines to $1 million for mail and wire fraud when those methods are used to get bogus disaster aid, placing the offense on par with bank fraud.

The Senate passed the bill earlier this month, and President Bush is expected to sign it.

The Justice Department asked Congress to develop a new category of fraud after the number of cases following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The Government Accountability Office has estimated that $1 out of every $6 FEMA initially paid out in the two storms was claimed improperly in a wave of fraud amounting to billions of dollars. |Read on|

Tulane University gets more

How nice for Tulane:

Tulane University has been given a 15-story building in downtown New Orleans. The Murphy Oil Corporation donated the structure, which includes a 204,500-square-foot building and adjoining parking garage.

A former chair of Tulane’s governing board, Cathy Pierson, helped secure the donation. Ms. Pierson is the sister of the chief executive of Murphy Oil. Tulane officials plan to use the building to continue the expansion of the university’s medical school.

Too bad SUNO never reaps any benefits.

New Orleans Should Wake Up

It will be interesting to see how the council will vote.

The New Orleans City Council is scheduled to vote on Thursday on whether to sign off on the demolitions of three projects. HUD already has its bulldozers in place, engines warm and ready to roll the next morning.

Arguing that the housing was barely livable before the flooding unleashed by Hurricane Katrina, federal officials have cast their decision as good social policy. They have sought to lump the projects together with the much-vilified inner-city projects of the 1960s.

But such thinking reflects a ruthless indifference to local realities. The projects in New Orleans have little to do with the sterile brick towers and alienating plazas that usually come to mind when we think of inner-city housing . Some rank among the best early examples of public housing built in the United States, both in design and in quality of construction.

On the contrary, it is the government’s tabula rasa approach that evokes the most brutal postwar urban-renewal strategies. Neighborhood history is deemed irrelevant; the vague notion of a “fresh start” is invoked to justify erasing entire communities.

We all know the notion of fresh start is not the real reason.

My Sentiments Exactly

I had to quote this article from jaunted.com because these are my same sentiments. People need to ask themselves why UNO is so critical of New Orleans and chooses to report erroneous information.

The latest University of New Orleans poll that shows more than half of respondents think the city is one of the nation's most dangerous. The same survey says a third of people think the French Quarter was one of the hardest hit areas during Katrina, and about one in four people think parts of the city are still underwater.

Wrong, wrong and wrong. The Quarter was largely spared major damage and flood waters are long gone. While New Orleans does have some crime, you probably won't get caught in it unless you go looking for trouble. (We suggest you don't.) But USA Today, which ran the AP story about the poll early this morning, isn't helping correct misconceptions with the headline "New Orleans crime may be keeping visitors away."

We beg to differ: 3.8 million folks stopped by in 2006, and New Orleans will host 6 million by the end of 2007. That's not bad, given the fact that airlines slashed service to Louis Armstrong International after the storm and entire tracts of the city remained evacuated for months.

We hate to sound boostery, but the last thing New Orleans needs after so much progress is more "scary" headlines.

UNO pollsters need to discuss the real reason why they are so mean spirited as if we do not already know why this institution is such a New Orleans' basher. We all know the motivation behind their tactics.

Is Crime Really Keeping Visitors Away?

According to a UNO poll, crime is keeping visitors away from New Orleans.

Just over half of respondents to a University of New Orleans poll released Dec. 10 rated the city a 1, 2 or 3 in crime on a scale of 10, with 1 being "the worst city in the U.S." The poll of 775 people was taken Nov. 29-Dec. 4 and gauged the impressions of Americans outside Louisiana. Its margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

Can we really trust anything UNO does? After all they have never had anything positive to say about New Orleans. Wonder why...as if we don't know.

Council Appoints Interim

Now you see it now you don't:

The New Orleans City Council appointed Carol Carter as the city's interim Recorder of Mortgages and set a special election for Oct. 4 to fill the post permanently. A runoff is scheduled for Nov. 4 if necessary.

Keep in mind the words permanently:

The election will precede by just three months the dissolution of the recorder's job, which along with the registrar of conveyances and the appointed job of custodian of notarial archives are scheduled to be folded into the operations of the Clerk of Civil Court starting in 2009.

To be dissolved:



"Even though this office is being merged and eventually will be dissolved, we still need to have an election called to fill the vacancy," Council President Arnie Fielkow said.

You gotta love it. This is their brain; this is their brain on #####.