Former New Orleans Official Charged

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former New Orleans city official has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he took payoffs from a vendor who did business with the city.

Anthony Jones of New Orleans was the city's chief technology officer during former Mayor Ray Nagin's administration. A bill of information made public Wednesday charged him with conspiracy to commit bribery. He pleaded guilty to that charge later at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr.

Duval set sentencing for March 30. Jones, who remains free on bond until then, faces up to five years in prison.

According to the bill of information, Jones approved payments on city invoices to companies owned by Mark St. Pierre and accepted more than $20,000 in payoffs.

St. Pierre also has been charged in the case. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial next year.