I-Team: Feds Looking Into JP Red Light Cameras

http://www.wdsu.com/news/27084818/detail.html

Ban the Cams note:  They really should be getting documents on not just the kickbacks but also to "performance" requirements.  IE contract provivions that require short ambers (prohibit longer ambers), right turn on red requirements, trips paid for by the vendors to city officials, consulting on what should "count" as an accident.  Just to name a few things.

 

I-Team: Feds Looking Into JP Red Light Cameras
Council Members Subpoenaed To Testify
POSTED: 4:55 pm CST March 4, 2011
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HARAHAN, La. -- At least some of the Jefferson Parish Council members have received new subpoenas from federal prosecutors, asking for documents and information dealing with the parish's controversial red light camera system, the WDSU I-Team has learned.

The red light camera program was shut down last January after it was discovered that consultants were making money off the cameras. Many parish council members said they were unaware that was happening.

An internal investigation is still ongoing, and now it appears federal investigators are also looking into the cameras.

"Most of your viewers know the traffic cameras and how they are being battled for their constitutionally, but the feds are most likely not looking at that," said Brian Capitelli, a former federal prosecutor. "They're probably looking to see if this is a criminal matter and if anything was done in procuring this work."

Multiple sources close to the Jefferson Parish Council confirm to the WDSU I-Team that the subpoenas asked for specific information about the cameras and the contractor who operates them -- Arizona-based Redflex.

Sources also said the subpoenas asked for all correspondence between council members, the parish administration and the company, including e-mails.

"(In) e-mails, nowadays people write things they probably shouldn't, so that is not a surprise that they asked for things liker that with communications," Capitelli said. "It's not out of the ordinary at all."

Last year, the I-Team first reported on a letter pointing out that former New Orleans City Council member Bryan Wagner is a consultant for Redflex. Wagner maintains his business is above board, but some council members cried foul, saying they didn't know about Wagner's involvement.

Council members' grand jury testimony will happen later this month. It will be the second time this year council members have gone before the grand jury; on Thursday, they testified in connection with the conspiracy investigation into former Parish President Aaron Broussard.

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