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Former Citizens' chief indicted by grand jury

05:45 PM CST on Thursday, December 4, 2008

Paul Murphy / Eyewitness News

The former head of Louisiana's insurance company of last resort is now facing theft charges.

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According to an indictment, handed up Thursday in Baton Rouge, the ex-CEO of Citizen's Property Insurance, Terry Lisotta, used taxpayer money to pay for a long list of questionable items.

Lisotta was the target of two state audits that said he racked up more than $285,000 in expenses between 2003 and 2006.

The expenses included $1,219 to fly his wife to New York and Bermuda in February 2004.

And, $1,290 in snacks and party supplies for his daughter's prom dance party in March 2004.

The audits also indicate Lisotta spent $1,723 for LSU season football tickets and a parking pass in May 2005 and $1,695 for a personal vacation to Destin, Florida in May 2006.

Based on the findings an East Baton Rouge grand jury charged Lisotta with 14 counts of theft.

The Louisiana Attorney General's Office presented the case to the grand jury. David Caldwell, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's son, is the lead prosecutor in the case.

"These 14 counts are representative of the entirety of the theft that was going on," said David Caldwell. "We would intend at trial to present other evidence that may not be part of the charged counts, but would show motive, opportunity and intent."

Lisotta's attorney David Courcelle says his client is innocent and will defend the allegations.

"There were a lot of directions that were given Mr. Lisotta from the board that he followed and that will come to in the upcoming trial," said Courcelle.

During legislative hearings, state investigators said a lack of oversight from state insurance regulators is partly to blame for the alleged wrongdoing.

Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says while it's possible others could be added to the indictment, it's not very likely.

"Traditionally, there is a distinction made between malfeasance and misfeasance with malfeasance being essentially malignant efforts to enrich yourself through your public office, while misfeasance essentially being a sleep at the wheel," said Ciolino.

Ciolino also says from a prosecution standpoint, the case against Lisotta has jury appeal.

"Jurors and the public in general are sick and tired of public corruption," said Ciolino.

Lisotta is expected to surrender to Baton Rouge police Friday or Monday, and he is expected to have a bond hearing Friday at 8:30 a.m. with Judge Don Johnson in Baton Rouge, according to the Attorney General's Office.