Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has been hit with contempt charges by the Justice Department, which has also requested a receiver to take control of the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The move comes after years of non-compliance with a consent decree aimed at improving conditions at the jail, including prisoner supervision, suicide prevention, and use of force. Despite extensive technical assistance and court-ordered relief, Sheriff Gusman has failed to achieve compliance with the vast majority of provisions of the court’s 2013 consent judgment.
The Justice Department, led by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite, has filed a motion requesting that a court-appointed receiver be given full authority to administer operations of the jail, including the ability to discipline, reassign, terminate, and promote jail employees.
The receiver would also be responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures, allocating jail budget funds, and entering into contracts for jail services. The Justice Department is seeking an opportunity to submit briefing to the court regarding the proposed duties and authority of a receiver.
The case was initiated as a private prisoner class action filed in 2012, with the Justice Department intervening pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. The department’s motion was filed jointly with the plaintiff class, represented by the MacArthur Justice Center.
Defendant: Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman
Crime: Contempt
City and State: New Orleans, Louisiana
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Contempt charges filed
Dollar Amounts: Not applicable
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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