Political, police, and administrative corruption in New Orleans as reported by WWL radio in New Orleans, La.

Recently, I was listening to a radio program broadcasted from New Orleans, Louisiana on or about October 9, 2007 that reported the city of New Orleans was listed as the most corrupt city in the United States ( WWL radio in New Orleans ). Many of my supporters and readers heard this report as well and commented to me about my assertions in my book called COP OUT about this same problem, which I had written about 28 years ago.

In my book, I make the statements about the climate of affairs in the police department as of 1979...namely that the police department in New Orleans, Louisiana was a corrupt agency.  In many of my interviews, I also speak about the climate of affairs with politics and political officials in this city.


This statement by the radio program was also reported by many other television programs and national networks that same day, and quite frankly, they sounded surprise. Not me, and I'm sure others that know Louisiana, particularly those in the city of New Orleans wasn't surprised either.

I happen to be on my way to New Orleans as this was being reported. I had some business to tend to that brought me into many of the city's business offices for a few days. I spoke with many of the native residents who were aware of the fact that I was an author and some who were readers of my book and my assertions that New Orleans is a corrupt city. Many of the city workers congratulated me and asked me to continue to exposed those who are corrupt in our city in my interviews and speeches. I promised them to do just that.

As I visited some of the city's public offices I was appalled. Many of the city workers, not all, speak to the citizens like trash!  Even if one visits some of the department stores and grocers, one can see the corruption.

As I visited  the Orleans Parish State court buildings, located on Tulane and Broad Streets, I was truly saddened. The parish's sheriffs in the courts as you enter the buildings treat you like dirt! In the meantime, as he or she is speaking down to you he or she is speaking with respect to the lawyers or other important persons entering the same facility.

And speaking of the court rooms, my guest informed me that many of the judges expect to be treated like gods!  They were right!  As I toured some of the court rooms, I could actually see and feel the arrogant behaviors exuded from some of these men ( at least the four I observed ). I only observed one that treated you with respect.  As you enter a court room in New Orleans State Courts or even traffic courts, expect a rude awakening. 

Expect to be treated and seated in certain areas like cattle, speak when they tell you, answer when they tell you. It's way beyond be respectful to a judge or respecting the rule of law or the courts, it borders on pure corruption or a mass disrespect to anyone other than a police officer, attorney, elected official or other important person ( oh by the way, if you're a friend of the police or sheriff, sit where you like). Some secretaries, stenographers, clerks, and even janitors look at you with disdain and mistrust.

As I walked down the outside corriders of the courts, I could hear police officers milling about speaking about the arrestees they come to testify against like dogs (even if the arrestee is there on a simple traffic violation) As you enter the court building, the sheriffs on duty rules. He or she will make sure that you understand that he's the law. I saw many elderly citizens spoken to with no respect as they went through the metal detectors. Most everything in New Orleans is based on levels of importancies, perceived wealth or power, or ' what can you do for me'.

As I exited the various facilities with my guests, I was literally ill.  My guests, also native New Orleanians, felt my disgust, but only after I pointed it out repeatedly (the corruption is easy to get used to if you're there on a daily basis they pointed out ). How can anyone be surprise about corruption in New Orleans?  I was born in New Orleans, I have never known the city NOT corrupt!

One of my readers asked , why the corruption ? ( oh, the city is also known as one of the murder capitals of the United States). Here is my opinion. New Orleans is a unique city. There are blacks, whites, french, and spanish. Then you have blacks that are mixed with caucasian call creoles, caucasians mixed with french call cajuns, and so on and so on. What is my angle? Simple... a power struggle has taken place over many years between the many races, sub races, and mini races. It's never stopped.

People in this city have fought for positions all their lives and know nothing else. Everything that is of any importance in this city is fought over. Many have forgotten that whatever race you see yourself as... we are still all one people!

Listen, I'm a native New Orleanian and want the best for my city and it's residents. Many of my relatives still reside in the city. But as I revealed in my book, New Orleans is a sad and corrupt city. In my opinion, one may be more incline to be violated by a police officer than a crook .

Remember, this city introduced one of the first police serial/spree killers, a female officer no less (google Antoinette Franks), and a police officer who peformed "hits" on citizens who got in his way (google Len Davis). A disclaimer... (both ex officers claim their innocence and have appeals under way). And let's keep this in mind, arrest of police officers are perform quite regularly in New Orleans. 

As an ex-bad cop from New Orleans, I know for a certainty that many of these officers got caught up in the corruption struggle. When I was on the force, I observed good officers fresh out of the academy "turned" in a few months by bad officers. I was stupidly "turned" as well!  I have often wondered if Antoinette Franks and Len Davis got "turned".

The people in New Orleans are basically good people like many people in the United States, but many of them have been misguided and caught up in a very unique situation that many in the world are just learning of.

My final assessment... enjoy your visits to the city but know that it's not paradise.  

A tip... when a city or state worker, court official, or anyone else treat you with disrespect, complain vigorously to someone in management. Do your part to at least expose the corruption.

I'm saddened to have once been a part of this vanity, arrogancy, and false respect, but I'm now extremely delighted to be a part of a few who have dedicated their lives to exposing this foolishness, especially exposing bad cops!