The Louisiana Bond Commission gives approval to a 450-million dollar plan to upgrade the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The investigation into alleged repeated misuse of funds by former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson ends without action being taken. Matt Doyle spoke with the former Colonel’s attorney…
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Former Lake Charles Police officer Robert Hammac has pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom to using excessive force during a police chase in 2017. U-S Attorney David Joseph says when the chase ended, Hammac ran to the front passenger door and grabbed the defendant
Cut 3 (09) “…additional times”
Joseph says the victim was not resisting in any way or posing a threat. He says the Department of Justice supports police officers, but Hammac’s actions betray the badge and the public’s trust
Hammac will be sentenced in November and Joseph says the 45-year-old faces up to ten years in prison
Hammac pleaded guilty to a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
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The State Bond Commission has approved a 450-million dollar financing plan to pay for renovations to the 44-year-old Superdome. The state will spend 90-million dollars on the project, the Superdome Commission 210-million dollars and the Saints will put up the rest. Saints President Dennis Lauscha
Renovations will begin after this football season and take four years. Lauscha says the planned improvements will benefit the fan, expanded concourses, more concession stands and replacing the ramps with escalators and elevators….
Superdome Commission Chairman Doug Thornton says these renovations are designed to improve an iconic facility…
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Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain pleads not guilty to charges of aggravated rape, aggravated incest, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and sexual battery. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says despite the fact that some of the accusations date back to when 56-year-old Strain was 17, there is no statute of limitations.
Cut 9 (08) “…enough timely brought.”
The most recent accusations are fifteen years old. Ciolino says the centerpiece of the defense will likely be the age of the charges as well as putting the criminal background of one of the accusers on trial.
Cut 10 (10) “…are four victims.”
Ciolino expects Strains’ legal defense to also lean on his years of public service.
Ciolino says at this point the trial moves into discovery as the defense tries to get a hold of police reports and evidence.
Cut 11 (08) “…perhaps psychological experts.”
The allegations carry up to a mandatory life sentence.
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Former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson has been cleared in an investigation into his alleged repeated misuse of department funds during his tenure.
A Legislative auditor’s report detailed a department funded “side trip” to Las Vegas for troopers, Edmonson living rent-free at the state police compound, and other violations. Edmonson Attorney Gray Sexton spoke with LRN about the decision.
According to the report the long-time Superintendent was also having his vehicles repaired by state workers.
Edmonson left State Police two years ago after coming under fire for the audit’s findings. Sexton says any actions his client did take did not meet the threshold of an ethics violation.
Current State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves agreed with the findings of the Auditor’s report two years ago when it was released.
Sexton says if his client had violated any ethics laws during his tenure, he’s confident that the Louisiana government or the feds would have pursued charges.
Edmondson served from 2008-2017.