Our Videos

December 31, 09

NEWS / Indictments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Operation Illegal Motion


BATON ROUGE, LA—United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that a federal grand jury returned two indictments against MICHAEL LEE, age 46, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One is a six count indictment charging LEE with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), violation of the RICO Act, three counts of using an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, and one count of false statements. The indictment alleges that LEE conspired with Edward James, Leonard Jackson, Flitcher Bell and others to accept or extort bribes from individuals with pending criminal charges in the Baton Rouge City Court in exchange for arranging for the matters to be dismissed or otherwise “fixed.”

The second indictment is a one count indictment charging LEE with illegal possession of a firearm.The indictment alleges that LEE was subject to a domestic restraining order and was therefore legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

LEE was arrested in connection with the above charges on December 17, 2009, pursuant to a Criminal Complaint issued by Magistrate Judge Christine Noland, and is currently detained and in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

The charges against LEE result from Operation Illegal Motion, an ongoing investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office with the cooperation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Louisiana Office of Inspector General; the Louisiana State Police; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigative Division; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General; and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Criminal Investigations Division.The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Corey R. Amundson and Assistant United States Attorney M. Patricia Jones.

LEE is the ninth individual charged as a result of Operation Illegal Motion. Seven individuals have previously pleaded guilty to charges arising out of the investigation.

LEE faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each of the RICO counts and a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each of the racketeering and false statements counts.He also faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on the firearms charge

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant.The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty at trial.

Tags: criminal investigation,
 




Testimonials

Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »
Kateryna Melnychenko
Thanks a lot Anton!...
Read More »




FAQ

WHAT IS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED SERVICES TO PERFORM NOTARIAL ACTS ABROAD?
Read More »
What is the application process for the 17-month STEM extension?
Read More »
For purposes of the requirement in the Form 1065 Schedule K-1, Item J, instruction at page 24, first paragraph, last sentence referring to "multiple changes in the profit and loss sharing percentage
Read More »
Which English Language Testing Organizations Are Approved for Purposes of Health Care Worker Certification?
Read More »






News

March 21, 25
Parents of Indian-born student missing in Dominican Republic request death certificate
Read More »
March 19, 25
White House directs FBI to stop conducting background checks for senior staff
Read More »
March 17, 25
Texas Attorney General argues against allowing individuals to change sex marker on birth certificates and driver’s licenses
Read More »
March 14, 25
Connecticut man sentenced in car theft ring case had criminal record
Read More »