Former ADA Keith Stutes Announces Run For District Attorney

SCOTT, La. (KPEL) -- Former Assistant District Attorney Keith Stutes announced Thursday that he would challenge current District Attorney Mike Harson for the position during the next election.

"I believe I have the experience, qualifications and commitment needed to turn the DA’s office around," Stutes said in a prepared statement on his website. "I solemnly pledge that I will work hard and that I will restore the office of District Attorney to its proper role in the fair and impartial administration of justice and an example of how our system is supposed to work."

The district attorney's office has been mired in controversy recently after a bribery scheme was unraveled by federal authorities. Stutes led the internal investigation into that bribery scheme, leading to the arrests of six people within the office.

Stutes retired from the district attorney's office a year ago after serving for 28 years.