NEW ORLEANS -- The Louisiana Supreme Court has permanently disbarred former state film commissioner Mark Smith, who was sentenced to two years in prison for taking bribes to inflate tax credits for a movie producer.
The court based its ruling Friday on a recommendation by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which investigates alleged misconduct by lawyers.
Smith pleaded guilty in 2007 to taking $67,500 in bribes to help movie producer Malcolm Petal secure about $1.3 million in state tax credits for filming live music festivals.
Smith served as director of the state film commission from 2003 to 2005.
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