BILL OF INFORMATION CHARGING

ST. JOHN PARISH PRESIDENT WITH CONSPIRACY TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE BRIBES UNSEALED IN FEDERAL COURT

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA WILLIAM J. HUBBARD, age 47, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, and President of St. John the Baptist Parish, who was charged in a Bill of Information on August 26, 2009, with Conspiracy to Solicit and Give Bribes by a Public Official, was unsealed this morning announced United States Attorney Jim Letten.

WILLIAM J. HUBBARD served as the President of St. John the Baptist Parish since January 2008. In his capacity as Parish President, HUBBARD was authorized to enter into contracts for professional services on behalf of St. John the Baptist Parish.

The Bill of Information alleges that HUBBARD received payments from three vendors who had contracts with St. John the Baptist Parish. According to the Bill of Information, HUBBARD solicited checks totalling $20,000 from three vendors in order to obtain a new automobile.

If convicted, HUBBARD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Jim Letten, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, along with David Welker, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Field Division, will hold a press conference tomorrow, September 25th, immediately following a proceeding in United States District Court regarding United States v. William J. Hubbard. No further details are available at this time.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys James R. Mann and Brian M. Klebba.