By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Dozens of prominent business people from the River Parishes were arrested and thrown in jail Wednesday, but not one of them committed an actual crime.

Men and women like St. John Assessor Whitney Joseph, insurance broker Dave Millet and River Region Chamber of Commerce representative Jennifer Glidden spent a few hours behind bars at Bull’s Corner Restaurant in LaPlace to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“It’s called the LaPlace Executive Lock-Up,” said Tiffany Irving Jones, executive director of MDA of Greater New Orleans. “Our ‘jailbirds’ are accused of having a big heart and are served a ‘friendly warrant’ by actual members of the St. John Sheriff’s Office. The jailbirds must do what they can to raise a $1,600 bail to get out of jail.”

Jones explained the $1,600 target is enough money to send two children to the MDA Summer Camp in Bunkie. She said the money raised through the lock-up event will enable MDA to provide muscle biopsies and flu shots and will also fund the purchase and repair of wheel chairs, leg braces and communication devices for patients with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The money also helps the organization conduct monthly clinics at LSU Health Sciences Center and Children’s Hospital and summer camps.

Jones said 53 business leaders participated in this year’s lock-up event, which raised more than $20,000 for MDA programs.