releases: http://richmond.house.gov/press-release/rep-richmond-calls-attention-unethical-practices-eastern-district-us-attorney%E2%80%99s-office

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http://richmond.house.gov/press-release/rep-richmond-calls-attention-unethical-practices-eastern-district-us-attorney%E2%80%99s-office Rep. Richmond Calls Attention to Unethical Practices in Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office 2013-09-24 2013 2013-09 Democrat House LA Cedric Richmond R000588 richmond.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA), sent the following letter to Attorney General Eric Holder calling on the Department of Justice to continue their investigation into the unethical behavior of senior attorneys in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In this letter, Rep. Richmond emphasizes that Kenneth Polite, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the District, should not begin his role burdened by investigating his staff. Rep. Richmond sent letters on March 21, 2012 requesting a thorough investigation as well as on November 15, 2012. September 24, 2013     The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr. Attorney General of the United States U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530     Dear Attorney General Holder,               I write you once again about what has been discovered to be pervasive, unethical behavior by senior attorneys in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the Office).  In a letter my colleagues and I sent to you on March 21, 2012, we requested a thorough investigation of misconduct after it was revealed that a senior litigation attorney had been commenting online about ongoing investigations.  We explained to you that the misconduct could have a severe and lasting impact on the administration of justice, and that absent a full investigation, the public’s trust would be eroded.             On November 15, 2012, given the disturbing news that the Office’s First Assistant had also commented online about ongoing cases, I again wrote to you with significant concerns about the slow pace of the Office of Professional Responsibility’s investigation.  I was pleased when in the following month you appointed John A. Horn to lead an investigation into the matter.             Unfortunately, the ten month investigation by Mr. Horn has culminated in a scathing order by District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt that grants a new trial for police officers accused of killing unarmed civilians after Hurricane Katarina.  The Engelhardt order also calls into question the thoroughness of investigations of grand jury leaks and online commenting within the Office and raises serious questions about the veracity with which the former leadership of the Office was communicating with courts and the public.  Nevertheless, there are considerable improprieties that remain unexamined.  I am distressed by Judge Engelhardt’s statement that “much is still not known about the nature and extent of government activities similar to those reflected herein.”  Going further, the Court discloses that it has “seen the government omit pertinent facts, [and] conceal material information…”             As you know, Kenneth Polite was recently confirmed by the Senate to serve as our new United States Attorney for the New Orleans region. The shadow of impropriety that continues to cloak this office will make it very difficult to administer the Office with the highest level of public support and credibility. Further, as his first order of business, Mr. Polite should not be tasked with investigating his staff and predecessors for these misdeeds.  That is why it is imperative that you expand the ongoing investigation and empower it with independent prosecutorial power to make all relevant facts public and bring any breach of law to light.  The first step in the process should be for DOJ to make public Mr. Horn’s reports filed in U.S. v. Kenneth Bowen, et al.  In addition, I urge you give Mr. Polite the flexibility to quickly staff his office with seasoned prosecutors free from the taint of this ongoing investigation.               I do not hold you or the Obama Administration responsible for the actions of rogue attorneys, but I do demand accountability and transparency in DOJ’s response and investigation. What I have seen thus far is woefully inadequate and it is time for there to be a public accounting.                                          Respectfully,                                         Cedric L. Richmond                                       Member of Congress     cc:  Kenneth Polite 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z