New charges in New Orleans corruption case

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Six more people were charged in New Orleans in an alleged scheme to skim money from an $81 million energy-saving contract under former Mayor Marc Morial.

The six were expected to plead guilty and cooperate in the government's case, the New Orleans (La.) Times-Picayune reported Wednesday.

The investigation focuses on an $81 million contract between New Orleans and Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. that was intended to reduce city energy bills.

The six charged Tuesday include Stan "Pampy" Barre, a restaurateur and Morial confidant, who reportedly received $800,000 for little or no work.

Also charged were ex-city Property Management Director Kerry DeCay and former Johnson Controls Project Manager Terry Songy, who reportedly each received at least $100,000 in cash and gifts.

The charges add to June indictments against a former city official and three businessmen.

Morial, now president of the National Urban League in New York, has not been implicated in the scheme and repeatedly declined comment.