Judge Refuses To Reduce Ex-Lawmaker’s Prison Term

A federal judge has refused to reduce a prison sentence for a former Louisiana lawmaker who pleaded guilty to helping an unlicensed bond broker launder money.

Former state Sen. Derrick Shepherd had asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier in November to reduce his prison sentence from 37 months to a range of 18 to 21 months.

Shepherd argued that a recent change to federal sentencing guidelines allows Barbier to retroactively consider his military service as a mitigating factor in his sentence.

But the judge rejected that argument Thursday.

Shepherd was charged with helping Gwendolyn Moyo launder some of the proceeds from her sale of millions of dollars worth of bogus construction bonds.