September 25, 2009

WILLIAM J. HUBBARD, a/k/a Bill Hubbard, age 47, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today to a one count Bill of Information filed on August 26, 2009. Standing before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey, HUBBARD entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 666, announced United States Attorney Jim Letten and David Welker, Special Agent in Charge, FBI New Orleans Field Division.

HUBBARD had previously been charged in a sealed Bill of Information which was unsealed yesterday.

According to documents filed today in federal court, HUBBARD, was a public official, namely the elected President of St. John the Baptist Parish. (Yesterday morning, HUBBARD resigned his position as Parish President). As such, HUBBARD was authorized, with approval from the St. John Parish Council, to enter into contracts for professional services on behalf of St. John Parish.

In May of this year, HUBBARD helped purchase a Toyota Camry for his 31 year old female friend with whom HUBBARD was having a sexual relationship. This car was purchased from a local automobile dealership with $20,000 in bribes that HUBBARD solicited from three vendors who had contracts or were seeking to obtain contracts with St. John Parish.

According to the factual basis, HUBBARD solicited a $5,000 bribe from Vendor A who knew about HUBBARD’s relationship with his female friend. As a result, Vendor A gave HUBBARD a $5,000 check payable to a local automobile dealership. Approximately seven days later, on or about May 12, 2009, the St. John Parish Council passed a $29.5 million dollar bond issue which resulted in Vendor A receiving a professional service contract worth approximately
$1 million dollars. On May 27, 2009, HUBBARD, in his capacity as the Parish President of St. John Parish, approved the bond issue and contract awarded to Vendor A.

On May 5, 2009, HUBBARD solicited a $5,000.00 bribe from Vendor B. As a result, Vendor B gave HUBBARD a $5,000.00 check payable to a local automobile dealership. Vendor B is engaged in business dealings with St. John Parish.

On May 26, 2009, HUBBARD solicited a $10,000.00 bribe from Vendor C. As a result, Vendor C gave HUBBARD a $10,000.00 check payable to a local automobile dealership. Vendor C is also engaged in business dealings with St. John Parish.

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. Sentencing is set for December 15, 2009 at 10:00 A.M.

United States Attorney Jim Letten stated:

“Today’s conviction of former St. John the Baptist Parish President Hubbard has revealed yet another Louisiana public official who has betrayed the public trust and let down the citizens who depended on him for honest leadership. Such individuals and their crimes of greed, if left unchecked, could threaten the recovery and viability of the region and even the state. We in federal enforcement will continue to relentlessly pursue corruption wherever it exists in order to help give citizens government that serves them and not a greedy few who seek to profit from the power they wield.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge David Welker added:

“We have been at this place before and we have and continue to promise that we will identify, investigate and prosecute those public officials who abuse the trust that has been placed upon them by the citizens they promise to represent.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Further, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation would thank the Metropolitan Crime Commission for their assistance in this matter. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys James R. Mann and Brian M. Klebba.

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