Sheriff’s Deputies Accused of Bribery

Two high-ranking officials at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office are facing federal charges for their alleged roles in a bribery scheme. JOHN P. SENS, 52, and GERARD J. HOFFMAN, 59, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in two separate bills of information filed by U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.

According to court documents, SENS, the former Director of Purchasing at the OPSO, and HOFFMAN, a former Colonel in charge of the maintenance department, began receiving bribes from two contractors, identified as Businessman A and Businessman B, in exchange for a rigged bidding system that steered OPSO work to their companies.

Between 2007 and 2011, the contractors would submit phony bids for OPSO projects in the names of other local companies, giving the appearance of a competitive bidding process. SENS and HOFFMAN would then award the work to the contractors, who provided them with various things of value, including cash, a pool installation, and free electrical work.

SENS received approximately $30,000 in cash from Businessman A, as well as the digging and installation of a pool at his residence, at no cost to him. Businessman B paid for the purchase, framing, and matting of several paintings for SENS, and provided HOFFMAN with free electrical work and a trailer, all at no cost to him.

If convicted, SENS and HOFFMAN face a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. Attorney Boente reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Jon Maestri are prosecuting the case. The public is encouraged to report any information related to public corruption to the authorities.

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