Ex-Lawmaker Asks Judge To Toss Conviction

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former Louisiana lawmaker who pleaded guilty to helping an unlicensed bond broker launder money claims one of his attorneys instructed him to falsify records to fool federal authorities.

Former state Sen. Derrick Shepherd is asking a judge to throw out his conviction because he allegedly received ineffective counsel from his lawyers.

In a court filing last week, Shepherd claims attorney Clarence Roby Jr. told him to fabricate invoices and other records to make it appear he performed legal work for Gwendolyn Moyo. Shepherd later was indicted on charges he helped Moyo launder proceeds from her sale of bogus construction bonds.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ordered prosecutors to respond in writing to Shepherd's filing. Roby didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Categories: State News