by Mary-Devon Dupuy 

Former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard faced the judge today, and as the public anticipated, pled guilty to felony charges of bribery, wire fraud, and theft for diverting taxpayer funds to his ex-wife in the form of a salary. Karen Parker, formerly Karen Parker Broussard, was employed as a Paralegal Supervisor for over six years (2003-2010) despite her lack of credentials and requisite experience. Throughout this period, Broussard and his former wife pocketed approximately $328,308 of taxpayer money and committed wire fraud and bribery in attempts to keep their embezzlement under wraps. 

The 63-year-old former attorney stood with his lawyer, Robert Jenkins, in front of U.S. District Judge Hayden Head. Broussard was found guilty of two of the 22 charges he faced, and he pled guilty to counts one and 27. Former Jefferson Parish Attorney Thomas Wilkinson, Former Jefferson Parish Chief Administrative Officer Timothy Whitmer, Owner of First Communications Company William Mack, and Broussard’s ex-wife, Karen Parker, have all pled guilty to related charges.

Broussard faces a maximum of 15 years behind bars and fines up to $500,000. The former Parish President admitted in court that he intentionally committed theft, fraud, and bribery to divert taxpayer dollars and that the funds embezzled benefited him through his joint accounts with Karen Parker. Broussard entered into a plea agreement.

U.S. District Attorney Jim Letten spoke outside of the Courthouse, saying that Broussard’s conviction, “served as a blueprint for how government is supposed to work, not supposed to work, and how it is abused.” Letten also said that the case spoke to his office’s “zero tolerance for corruption,” and that he hopes his office can continue to serve the people, “not those trusted with power.”
 

Mike Anderson, the FBI’s Special Agent in charge of the New Orleans Division, said that the salary scheme highlights the case of what he referred to as “the dead head employee.” Anderson was pleased that even a nuanced case such as Broussard’s, in which his wife was present at her job but not performing her designated task, was brought to justice. “We cannot tolerate having people placed on payroll and not earning their keep,” said Anderson.

One reporter asked Letten whether or not getting Broussard on only two out of 22 charges was considered a success. Letten responded that it was “certainly a win for the U.S. and for the taxpayer.”