“Former DA Used ‘Fake Subpoena’ in PIB Investigation of Ex-NOPD Officer”

In 2018, “The Lens” reported that the New Orleans DA’s Office issued 249 so-called “fake subpoenas” to victims and witnesses in criminal cases. Well, make that 250 fake subpoenas now. However, “The NOLA Tabloid” reveals in this exclusive that the subpoena was used in a 2007 PIB investigation of an ex-NOPD officer, not a criminal case. Moreover, it was issued under the administration of former DA Eddie Jordan, not Leon Cannizzaro. So, what does all of this mean?

According, to Black’s Law Dictionary, a subpoena is requested by an attorney but issued by a court. In the matter of the fake subpoenas, a prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office unilaterally sends the subpoena to a witness without the approval of a judge. This circumventing of a court’s approval means that the target has ultimately been denied due process and the recipient is tricked into believing that a penalty will result for refusal to comply.

In 2008, ex-NOPD officer Alita Richardson was terminated from the force and she has been fighting it through Civil Service ever since. She was assigned to the 4th District when a PIB investigation was launched. Yet, the result of that investigation concluded in an administrative separation from the department, not a criminal case. In fact, no criminal charges were ever filed against Richardson by the DA’s Office.

This revelation by “The NOLA Tabloid” means that so-called fake subpoenas were also used by former DA Eddie Jordan and included PIB investigations of New Orleans police officers in addition to victims & witnesses in criminal cases under current DA Leon Cannizzaro.

Continue following “The NOLA Tabloid” for the latest in this exclusive!

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