NEW ORLEANS — Former Jeffesron Parish Councilman Chris Roberts was arraigned in federal court and was released on bail after pleading not guilty to 29 criminal charges on Monday afternoon.
Roberts faces 22 counts of fraud and seven counts of tax evasion. He was formally accused of wire fraud and felony tax evasion by a grand jury on May 9, and was arraigned before federal Magistrate Judge Michael North. The proceedings lasted about 15 minutes.
Roberts was in court with his parents as he quickly entered his not guilty plea, then headed to the U.S. Marshal’s Office to be fingerprinted and have his picture taken.
Last month, he abruptly resigned his at-large seat on the Jefferson Parish Council.
Prosecutors accuse Roberts of defrauding a landscaping company he managed by writing checks to himself or other businesses he controlled.
Among the items he is accused of paying for with fraudulently obtained money are a $16,000 engagement ring and three remote-controlled drones. He's also accused of hiding a significant amount of his annual income on his tax returns from 2010 to 2016.
Roberts and his attorney Eddie Castaing have maintained that the charges against Roberts have nothing to do with his official duties in parish government.
Castaing spoke briefly to reporters as he arrived the federal courthouse.
“We're going to go in and do what we have to do for the initial appearance and plead not guilty and get his bond. That's all that's going to happen today,” Castaing said.
Roberts pleaded not guilty to the charges, and earlier released a personal statement that said:
"The greatest honor I had was representing the people for 21 years. The biggest sacrifice anyone in a demanding profession makes and accepts with the territory is not being available to your family. I am at peace with my decision and have enjoyed the personal time the last few weeks I have missed out on my entire adult life.
"Nothing in this world outweighs watching your children grow. I count my blessings everyday from being spared a fate that many in this region were not able to beat. As I have said before, the sun will shine again."
Roberts, 41, was diagnosed with a rare cancer when he was 29-years-old. After 32 chemotherapy treatments over three years, he announced its remission May 2009.
It was Roberts' first appearance in federal court since his indictment.
The magistrate set Roberts unsecured bond at $50,000. As a condition of his bond, he is prohibited from entering gambling establishments.
Roberts is due back in court on June 20 for a pre-trial hearing. His trial is set for July 29 in front of Judge Jay Zaney.
If convicted, he faces a maximum term of 475 years in prison and a fine of up to $6.2 million.