Bribery Scandal An Issue In Lafayette Election
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — In a letter mailed to residents, the District Attorney for Lafayette, Vemilion and Acadia parishes apologizes for the involvement of three of his employees in a bribery scheme.
The scheme was exposed in 2012. It centered on a process called "immediate 894." The process enabled people in some criminal cases to complete punishments, such as community service work, before they were sentenced. That meant they could clear their record more quickly.
In the March 31 letter, District Attorney Mike Harson said investigators found he had no knowledge of or involvement in the scheme.
Retired Assistant District Attorney Keith Stutes is Harson's only announced opponent in the Nov. 4 election. He issued a statement saying the investigation brought shame and embarrassment to the office.
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