Man Seeks Delay In Lafayette Bribery Scheme Trial

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — A Lafayette private investigator who allegedly orchestrated a bribery scheme to get favorable treatment for DWI defendants in the local court system is asking a federal judge to push back his scheduled March 10 trial.

Five others, including three former employees of the 15th Judicial District Attorney's Office, already have pleaded guilty in the probe.

The Advocate reports they have agreed to cooperate in the case against Robert Williamson, the private investigator accused of working for a cash fee then using some of the money to pay off employees of the District Attorney's Office to secure special plea deals for his clients.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote has already granted one delay in the case, pushing Williamson's trial back from its original date in December until March.