The myriad criminal-justice agencies in New Orleans have benefitted from efforts by a local foundation to increase the efficiency and cooperation of sharing information. But even the federal supporters of the program have raised questions about who's in charge -- and who will have to pay to maintain this new system.
John Sens resigned from his late Friday as a federal grand jury investigates contracting at the jail complex.
Metro Business Supplies has done $1.7 million in business with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office since Hurricane Katrina. The man who landed the job, Richard Schlaudecker, is married to the daughter of Chief Deputy Gerald Ursin.
Officials inked new phone contracts for the state prisons and Orleans jail before rules cutting phone commissions went into effect, so families will continue to pay high fees to speak with inmates. Sheriff Gusman stands to collect $1.5 million in phone call commissions this year.
