Irvin Mayfield, the 40-year-old New Orleans jazz star, and his associate Ronald Markham, 39, have been hit with a 23-count superseding indictment for allegedly defrauding the New Orleans Public Library Foundation.
According to the indictment, Mayfield and Markham transferred a whopping $139,793.48 from the library foundation to fund their lavish lifestyle. The funds were allegedly used to cover additional expenses for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, including salary payments for the defendants, expenses related to the orchestra’s gala, and even a $20,000 booking fee for a performance in Chicago, Illinois.
The indictment also reveals that Mayfield used $12,793.94 of the library funds to pay for a stay at the Ritz Carlton in New York. The lavish spending is a stark contrast to the library’s mission to provide educational resources to the people of New Orleans.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that the superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Mayfield and Markham face serious prison time, including five years for Count 1, 20 years for Counts 2 through 8, 10 years for Counts 9 through 22, and 20 years for Count 23.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Inspector General’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys G. Dall Kammer, Brandon Long, and Hayden Brockett.
The superseding indictment adds to the growing list of charges against Mayfield and Markham, who were already facing charges for allegedly embezzling $1.3 million from the New Orleans Public Library Foundation.
The scandal has left many in the New Orleans community reeling, and has raised questions about the accountability of public officials and institutions.
Related Federal Cases
- James Leads Push for Senate KOSA Bill Over House Version · New Mexico
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
- Landry Leads Push Against Senior Scam Epidemic · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
