We reviewed 33 notices sent by prosecutors since 2015. They had the court clerk’s name on them and told people they were “notified … to testify.” DA Warren Montgomery said they were misleading, but he doesn’t believe they were misused. A legal expert called them a sham.
In rejecting a public-records request from The Lens, the district attorney's office said it was too burdensome.
The possibilities include disciplinary action, federal charges, and nothing at all.
One of the threats came after her lawyer asked a judge to throw out the notice.
Criticism of the Orleans Parish DA’s office grew Thursday after a Lens investigation into the practice.
The DA's office is sending notices labeled “subpoena” to witnesses, threatening jail time if the person ignores them. But they're not real subpoenas. An assistant district attorney says they’re meant to persuade people who may ignore a simple letter.
Two city council members say they want the city to demonstrate that cameras make streets safer.
After April 1, 2017, it’s legal to rent homes in New Orleans via Airbnb, VRBO and similar services. Sites must be licensed. We’re tracking where applications have been filed and approved.
The city started approving applications earlier this week, soon after the law went into effect.
