Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Shepherd co-defendant pleads guilty

|
|
 
  
Published: Sept. 11, 2008 at 12:36 PM

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A man being tried alongside Louisiana Sen. Derrick Shepherd pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and will aid the federal investigation.

The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans said Thursday that James Zoucha, 67, entered a guilty plea with U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier this week as part of an ongoing money laundering trial involving Shepherd, D-Marrero.

Shepherd has been accused of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly helping an unlicensed bond broker take funds from businesses targeted by the state.

Prosecutors have alleged that prior to shutting businesses on orders from the state Department of Insurance, broker Gwen Moyo would attempt to access the proceeds of those businesses, The Times-Picayune said.

Shepherd's federal trial on five related criminal counts is to begin Oct. 6.

The newspaper said as part of Zoucha's plea Wednesday, the man accused of defaulting on a multimillion-dollar bond claim will avoid charges of money laundering, along with mail and wire fraud.

Topics: Derrick Shepherd
Recommended Stories
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala
Indianapolis 500 Presidential Medal of Freedom Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 20
Singer Janelle Monae arrives at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California
View Caption
Singer Janelle Monae arrives for the MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
Five secrets to getting the best healthcare. #6: Don't get sick
Traveling to the U.S.? If invited to a dinner party, bring a gift of wine, but not cash or toiletries...
Man turns dead pet cat into remote-controlled helicopter, calls it art (w/WTF pics)
"Good News" clubs teach children in public schools the Biblical importance of killing all nonbelievers...
Five arrested in prostitution sting. Article lists their names, ages and distance from a church
Photoshop this power tower technician