July 2, 2005
Wrinkled Robe Redux
I've got some problems with Dr. Vinturella's analysis of the results of the US Attorney's operation against the Gretna Courthouse:
Green is the second judge from Jefferson Parish to be convicted as the result of the government's "Operation Wrinkled Robe" investigation. Former state district judge colleague Ronald Bodenheimer is serving a 46-month prison sentence.
...
So where are we in our quest to stamp out public corruption? One more down, and who knows how many to go. The cozy relationship between Judges and bail bondsmen was due for an airing.
Is there really that much of a "cozy relationship" between the judges and bail bondsmen? I'm not sure one can conclude that from Wrinkled Robe. Green was greedy and stupid. Letten and company stumbled into Bodenheimer's insanity as a result of the wiretaps, but his case is really peripheral to the focus of the investigation.
Where does that leave the government, then? Still plugging. They've tried to taint Judge Benge with the scandal, but it hasn't stuck. Other than that, there's really not a lot to investigate. The wiretaps have run their course. Whether or not that's a result of no criminal activity in the courthouse or people clamming up is an interesting topic for discussion, but the bottom line is no evidence.
That brings us back to whether judges were the real problem in the first place. Sure, judges are an important part of the process, but was it really necessary for the Marcotte clan (Bail Bonds Unlimited) to do anything illegal to get to them? What Bail Bonds Unlimited wanted (and had, prior to the investigation) was a virtual monopoly on writing bonds in Jefferson Parish. They didn't maintain that monopoly by bribing judges, but by bribing JPSO deputies. Judges can reduce bail on defendants, but the mechanics of the bail bond system are in the control of the JPSO.
That's where the beef is in this investigation, the JPSO. Unfortunately for the US Attorney's office, they've only managed to get low-level convictions on that side. That means that either it was that easy for Marcotte to influence the process at a low level, or omerta is really strong in the JPSO. You've got low-level jail deputies convicted and sentenced, but no rank involved.
It's hard to imagine that a scheme involving as much money as bail bonds for the second-largest parish in the state would stop at low-level workers in the jail. JPSO deputies are not civil servants; they serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. That means they can be used as political tools, for fundraising and campaigns. They also have a lot more freedom for business pursuits outside the JPSO. Business pursuits often require financing.
But all of this is speculation if nobody comes forward. The deputies charged have already been sentenced and have no reason to cooperate. Unless Letten's got something else up his sleeve, Operation Wrinkled Robe has hit a brick wall.