Nagin mum on Meffert indictment

 

News of former city technology chief Greg Meffert's indictment spread quickly, but with several reporters waiting for comment, Mayor Ray Nagin turned and walked away from cameras at an event Friday.

 

Some New Orleanians, however, didn't hesitate to voice their opinions this afternoon.

 

"You know, it seems like when we get one foot up on a good thing, we get drug back down because of the politicians of, not only this city, but mostly the state," said Ernie Bergeron.

 

Attorney Brent Cueria agreed, but cautioned, it’s important to let the case run its course through the legal system.

 

"It gets old. We've had a climate of corruption for a long time, and I think it's good they're looking into all of this. Again, just individually, my philosophy, he's innocent until proven guilty," he said.

 

The criminal investigation could, however, impact a recent ruling in a recent lawsuit.

 

The indictment of Meffert, his wife Linda Meffert, and city vendor Mark St. Pierre comes less than a week after the conclusion of the civil crime camera trial, which found Greg Meffert, St. Pierre, and computer giant Dell Inc. conspired to create unfair competition against two local technology firms.

 

Attorney James Garner, who represented the plaintiffs, says the criminal indictments address some of the same issues from his case.

 

"Living the case, and reading this, I'm not surprised," he said.

 

In reading the 63 count indictment, Garner believes he may have found information he believes probably should have been brought forth in the civil case.

 

"They're going to play harder ball in the civil court, than with the United States Attorney. So, it wouldn't surprise me if we see additional information in the federal case that we weren't given, and we will address that with Judge Rosemary Ledet," he said.

 

Garner helped secure around $18 million for his clients, but, he says if the criminal investigation uncovers additional information, he could press for a new civil trial.