Fake subpoenas

Fourth Circuit rules Orleans DA must produce fake subpoenas

Appeals court affirms 2017 ruling in Orleans Parish Civil District Court. Cannizzaro's office has partially complied with that ruling.

By Marta Jewson October 10, 2018

Lens fake subpoena suit against New Orleans DA goes before state appeals court

Appealing an earlier ruling for news outlet, Cannizzaro's office says that public records requests for so-called "DA subpoenas" were too broad. The Lens is asking for more records.

By Marta Jewson September 6, 2018

New Orleans district attorney unearths 249 ‘DA subpoenas’ issued over three years

This is the first indication of how often prosecutors used the bogus documents.

By Charles Maldonado July 9, 2018

Jefferson Parish DA’s repeated use of fake subpoenas included one issued to an 11-year-old

The Jefferson Parish DA's turned over 92 "DA subpoenas" in response to a public records request from The Lens. The documents date from 2016 and 2017, before DA Paul Connick ended the practice.

By Charles Maldonado June 6, 2018

Federal judge to decide whether fake subpoena suit will move forward

DA's lawyers say prosecutors enjoy immunity under the law. Judge says plaintiffs have a difficult path ahead.

By Charles Maldonado May 9, 2018

Criminal complaint filed with Louisiana Attorney General over Cannizzaro’s use of fake subpoenas

Two people allege that prosecutors committed forgery, intimidated witnesses and obstructed justice by sending crime victims and witnesses so-called “DA subpoenas."

By Charles Maldonado March 20, 2018

Top employee in Orleans Parish DA’s office ordered staff to use fake subpoenas

Staffers were told to use a notice that looked like a real court document, with “SUBPOENA” printed at the top.

By Charles Maldonado January 24, 2018

Judge can’t remember whether he used fake subpoenas while working as prosecutor

Defense attorneys are seeking a new trial because their client was convicted after the victim received a fake subpoena.

By Charles Maldonado January 8, 2018

Lawyers ask judge to disclose whether he used fake subpoenas when he was a prosecutor

Judge Byron Williams was a prosecutor when the DA’s office used an earlier version of its fake subpoenas.

By Charles Maldonado January 4, 2018

For years, defense lawyers told judges that New Orleans prosecutors were using fake subpoenas. Nothing happened.

Some have asked how Orleans Parish prosecutors used fake subpoenas for so long with no repercussions. We found several instances in which lawyers protested their use in court, but nothing happened. The practice stopped only when it was made public.

By Charles Maldonado December 22, 2017