Cannizzaro’s impressive stats as a judge were sometimes inflated, say two current judges, as well as an attorney assigned to Cannizzaro’s courtroom. If true, his actions would raise ethical concerns.
Sheriff Marlin Gusman has provided the most detailed disclosure yet about the department’s revenues and expenditures.
With a pricetag now in excess of $80 million, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has gone 50 percent over budget to build a kitchen, warehouse and power plant for his new jail complex.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman overruled his chief deputy three years ago to award a $23 million construction-management contract for his new jail complex to a company the deputy rated lower.
In August 2007, after City Councilmember Oliver Thomas resigned and admitted to taking bribes, his attorney was asked about the possibility of Thomas providing helpful testimony to Federal prosecutors. Shepherd ultimately confessed, and assumed total responsibility, but
Marlin Gusman appears to have misled the public about the ownership of a key property that is part of his planned jail complex.
Having not met for almost two months, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s Criminal Justice Working Group will now need at least three more months before making a final recommendation on the total capacity of a new city jail.
