Caddo District Judge Michael Walker has been implicated in a local-federal investigation into whether kickbacks were received in return for favorable rulings in drug cases, informed sources said.
A task force of local and federal agents, as well as the U.S. Attorney's office in Shreveport, investigated the case, which was presented to a grand jury in Lafayette on Wednesday.
Authorities scheduled at news conference this morning to outline the case
Sources familiar with the case said authorities investigated whether Walker took kickbacks and bribes in return for favorable rulings. Those include cases where high bonds were reduced in return for kickbacks.
The investigation has also targeted Walker's friend, Caddo Juvenile Court Judge Vernon Claville. A source close to the investigation said investigators believe bribes were paid to get favorable rulings in probation cases.
The investigation, which sources said involves wiretaps and survillance by agents, centers in large part on whether Walker got cash if a defendant posted bond after his bail had been reduced to an affordable amount, KTBS 3 News has learned.
Richard King, who represents Walker in pending disciplinary proceedings before the Louisiana Supreme Court, said he did not know about any criminal investigation and declined comment.
An attorney who has represented Claville said he did not know about any investigation.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Flanagan refused comment but the U.S. Attorney's office scheduled a news conference for this morning. They would say only that it involves an indictment in a "public corruption" case.
Walker was elected to the bench in 1995. He has heard drug cases since January 2003.
The criminal investigation comes as Walker remains the subject of an ongoing review of his personal and judicial actions by the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Louisiana Judiciary Commission.
The Judiciary Commission, which investigates complaints of misconduct by judges, has cited Walker for two incidents: Calling a woman with a divorce case pending before him and making negative comments about her lawyer; and causing disturbances at Shreveport City Court, including trying to push his way past a marshal.
The Supreme Court has heard arguments in the case but has not made a final ruling in the case. Walker is fighting the allegations.
Earlier this year, the commission reversed itself and recommended the most serious accusation against Walker be dropped. That accusation related to Walker getting involved in a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense in a drug case. The lawyers had agreed the man would get a five-year sentence, but Walker told them he wanted the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge. He gave him probation.
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