ACCESS TO PLEADINGS SOUGHT IN JEFF CASE

The judge handling the drug conspiracy case against former Jefferson Parish
Judge Ronald Bodenheimer improperly held a closed-door court hearing and
sealed more than 20 pleadings, according to a motion filed Friday by The
Times-Picayune.

Attorneys for The Times-Picayune asked U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan
to unseal the pleadings and to provide the newspaper with transcripts from
any closed court proceedings.

The only document in the public court record that might explain the sealed
pleadings is a Sept. 11 protective order that relates to surveillance
federal investigators conducted on Bodenheimer's court chambers and
telephones during an 8 1/2-month investigation into possible corruption at
the Jefferson Parish Courthouse.

The newspaper's motion contends Berrigan's sealing of the pleadings is
improper because she did not hold a hearing and because she provided no
explanation of what the pleadings are or why they are under seal.

The judge also closed a hearing Wednesday on a defense motion to suppress
the wiretap evidence without the standard procedure of providing notice
that she was considering closing the hearing or holding a hearing to
address why secrecy was required.

The defense's suppression motion was denied, but Berrigan, who was
appointed by President Clinton, kept her reasons for denying it secret. She
also issued a gag order in the case the same day.

Bodenheimer is scheduled to go to trial April 14 on charges that he
conspired to plant drugs on an FBI informant who had criticized the
operation of his Venetian Isles Marina. He has pleaded innocent and remains
under house arrest.