(Not) Ready For My Close Up, Mr. DeMille

The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended permanent disbarment of an attorney in a matter involving a bribery conviction. The attorney had participated in the "bribery of a state official in exchange for the approval of lucrative tax benefits." He has been suspended on an interim basis as a result of the conviction.

The benefits involved a program designed to bring media-related projects to Louisiana. The attorney knew the director of the state agency involved in the program as a law school classmate. The friend certified $1.35 million in tax credits to a company (Break Beat) in connection with filming two live music festivals. The attorney got $67,500 and now is in jail.

The board likened the case to that of former Governor Edwin Edwards for sanction purposes. (Mike Frisch)