Judge eyes September trial for former New Orleans tech chief, wife and ex-city vendor
By APThursday, December 10, 2009
Judge eyes Sept. trial for City Hall kickback case
NEW ORLEANS — A trial for charges that a former New Orleans technology chief, his wife and a one-time city vendor engaged in a kickback scheme is on track to start in September 2010.
A federal trial for Greg Meffert; his wife, Linda; and businessman Mark St. Pierre; had been tentatively scheduled to start Jan. 11.
But the judge presiding over the case said in a court filing Wednesday that prosecutors and defense attorneys will need more time to prepare. U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon said he will keep Sept. 20 open for the trial to start.
A 63-count indictment accuses Greg Meffert of manipulating the city’s procurement process to steer work to St. Pierre’s companies, receiving kickbacks in return. Greg and Linda Meffert also are charged with lying to FBI agents and filing false tax returns for 2006 and 2007.
