Another Guilty Plea In N.O. Corruption Case

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Another defendant in a bribery scheme involving former New Orleans city officials has pleaded guilty.

The Times-Picayune reports Dwaine Hodges was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. He pleaded guilty Friday to acting as a "middleman" in the payment of bribes.

Two former city officials have also pleaded guilty in the case.

Prosecutors say in court papers Greg Meffert, who was a deputy under ex-Mayor Ray Nagin, took in more than $860,000 in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for steering $4 million in city contracts to Mark St. Pierre, a City Hall vendor. Anthony Jones, who was the city's chief technology officer, pleaded guilty to accepting $22,000 in bribes.

St. Pierre is set to stand trial in the case May 9.