The New Brown Bag: Judge Arrested in Alleged Bond Scheme

La. judge arrested in alleged bond scheme
United Press International - April 25, 2009

NEW ORLEANS, April 25 (UPI) -- A Louisiana judge has been arrested on corruption charges alleging he accepted bribes to let detainees go free on bond, federal officials say. State District Judge Wayne Cresap of St. Bernard Parish, La., was being held in custody late Friday after being arrested as part of an ongoing corruption investigation by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office, the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported. The U.S. Attorney's office issued a news release alleging the judge "entered into an illegal agreement with unnamed lawyers in which Cresap accepted money to convert secured bonds to unsecured personal surety bonds, thereby allowing the releases of charged individuals on signatures, and without collateral security." The prosecutor said the bond arrangement "deprived citizens of (Cresap's) honest services in the course of his officials duties." The Times-Picayune said Cresap, 62, of Poydras, La., has held his current position in Louisiana's 34th Judicial District since October 1999, when he defeated Gregory Noto in a runoff election to fill the term of Judge Melvyn Perez, who had died in office.

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Department of Justice Press Release
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2009 United States Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana
Contact: (504) 680-3000
St. Bernard Parish Judge Arrested on Federal Corruption Charges

NEW ORLEANS, LA—WAYNE G. CRESAP, an elected judge of the 34th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Bernard, was arrested this afternoon by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, pursuant to a warrant of arrest and complaint charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud by depriving citizens of his honest services in the course of his official duties, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten and Special Agent in Charge David Welker of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Division. After his arrest, CRESAP appeared before a United States District Court Judge and presently remains in federal custody pending a bail hearing at a later date. According to allegations contained in the affidavit in support of the complaint (attached), CRESAP entered into a illegal agreement with unnamed lawyers, in which CRESAP accepted money to convert secured bonds to unsecured personal surety bonds, thereby allowing the releases of charged individuals on signatures, and without collateral security. If indicted and convicted of the conspiracy offense as charged, CRESAP faces a maximum prison term of five (5) years, a $250,000 fine, as well as possible restitution and supervised release. CRESAP is presently on a leave of absence from the Court and is therefore not currently sitting on the bench or ruling on judicial matters. No further details are available for release at this time. FBI Special Agent in Charge Welker and U. S. Attorney Letten commend the hard work, commitment and partnership of the Special Agents, prosecutors and others who have assisted with this and related corruption investigations, and confirm that this investigation continues. The FBI and U. S. Attorney extend their gratitude for the substantial assistance and information provided by the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission. The investigation is being handled by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the New Orleans Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Marcelle and Richard Pickens.