PROSTITUTION, DRUG PROBE REMAINS IN LIMBO IN B.R.

New U.S. Attorney Awaiting FBI Report

BATON ROUGE -- A federal investigation into possible public corruption,
prostitution and drug trafficking that caused ripples in political circles
last summer, remains open, U.S. Attorney David Dugas said Monday.

Dugas said he is waiting for a report from the FBI -- based on information
gathered by the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's department -- before his
office determines whether to close the case. That report is expected soon,
Dugas, the new U.S. attorney for the Middle District, told the Baton Rouge
Press Club.

The sheriff's office arrested eight people last summer on drug or
prostitution charges, while alluding in affidavits to a larger probe into
political corruption. Jeffrey Carl Richardson, an Alexandria businessman
and friend of House Speaker Charlie DeWitt, D-Lecompte, was one of those
arrested, booked on prostitution and pandering charges.

DeWitt has not been named by law enforcement as a target, but he inserted
himself into the case last summer by hiring a prominent criminal defense
attorney and issuing a statement denying wrongdoing.

Sheriff's department Maj. Bud Connor said his office has submitted its case
to the U.S. attorney and local District Attorney Doug Moreau. Whether to
press forward with charges is up to Dugas or Moreau, Connor said.

Moreau did not return a call seeking comment.

Among those arrested in the probe were a dancer with the Baton Rouge Gold
Club and her husband, a local businessman who has been accused of dealing
drugs in a separate case. Others included the part-owner of a Baton Rouge
Italian restaurant, now closed; a radio station advertising representative;
and a former Gold Club waitress.

Asked how the public will know if he has closed the case, Dugas said his
office's policy is to send a letter to those involved to let them know when
a probe has been dropped. Because the allegations received so much
publicity, he said it is likely the defense attorneys would disclose that
the case was closed.