Ronald Bodenheimer

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Ronald Bodenheimer (1953- ) was a judge in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana convicted of various federal charges resulting, in part, from an FBI probe called Operation Wrinkled Robe.[1] Bodenheimer spent more than three years in federal prison, additional time in a half-way house, and was released on September 21, 2007 to serve the remainder of his term under probation under house confinement.[2]

Bodenheimer began his legal career with the state as a prosecutor with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office.[3] In 1999, Bodenheimer won an election to become judge by defeating Jim Donelon , an established politician with overwhelming support by Jefferson Parish elected officials.[4] Bodenheimer had the reputation of being a "law and order" judge and had been criticized by social activists for his heavy-handed conviction statistics.[5] During his short term on the bench, Bodenheimer set the Jefferson Parish record for the longest prison sentence, 881 years for a remorseless armed robber.[6] The abhorrent accusations and the revelation of the judge's apparent double-life shocked most in the New Orleans community, where he was largely respected as an attorney and judge.

[edit] Investigations

Bodenheimer owned a seafood marina in Venetian Isles, a suburb within Orleans Parish.[7] The media first brought attention to Bodenheimer in 2001 when a teenage worker was electrocuted by a conveyor belt at the marina.[8] It was discovered that the seafood marina had been operating without a license since 1999.[9] Bodenheimer had already been embroiled in a lawsuit with Venetian Isles residents over Bodenheimer's placing the commercial facility in the largely residential waterfront community.

A particular resident in the Venetian Isles community complained to the FBI about Bodenheimer and the marina, alleging the marina was being used for drug-trafficking. Bodenheimer and a marina employee, in an attempt to silence the vocal resident, planted OxyContin in the resident's possession and attempted to have the man arrested on drug charges.[10]

During the investigation into the framing incident, additional unrelated charges were brought against Bodenheimer for crimes committed in his capacity as a judge. A six-year FBI investigation into corruption at the 24th Judicial District Court, located in Jefferson Parish and where Bodenheimer presided as judge, revealed that a bail bondsman, Louis Marcotte III, had provided meals, trips, and other gifts to judges in exchange for their lowering bond requirements.[11] The investigation, Operation Wrinkled Robe, resulted in 17 convictions, including Bodenheimer, Marcotte, fellow ex-judge Alan Green, and several Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Deputies.[12]

In addition, to the convictions brought through the marina-related drug plant and the bail bond bribery, Bodenheimer was convicted for having provided favorable rulings to restaurant-owner and Popeyes Chicken founder Al Copeland in a child-custody case.[13][14] Bodenheimer confessed that a corporate attorney for a Copeland company had promised Bodenheimer a lucrative seafood contract in exchange for the favorable domestic ruling. [15][16] Further, Bodenheimer confessed he had accepted $16,000 in fuel from a criminal defendant who appeared before his court.[17]

Judge Ginger Berrigan sentenced Bodenheimer to 46 months in prison, which exceeded the time prosecutors requested.[18] During the sentencing hearing Judge Berrigan stated, "Corruption in the judiciary is worse than corruption in any other branch of government."[19]

In 2002, prior to the convictions, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an "interim suspension" of Bodenheimer's license to practice law.[20] Following the conviction, Bodenheimer "permanently resigned" from the Louisiana bar.[21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Disgraced Jefferson Parish Louisiana Judge Ronald Bodenheimer Released From Federal Prison.... Bad Cop News. Retrieved on 22 September 2007.
  2. ^ Disgraced Jefferson Parish Louisiana Judge Ronald Bodenheimer Released From Federal Prison.... Bad Cop News. Retrieved on 22 September 2007.
  3. ^ Donelon Once Again. Gambit Weekly. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  4. ^ Donelon Once Again. Gambit Weekly. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  5. ^ Recent Research shows Startling Results
  6. ^ Benching the Judges. Gambit Weekly. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  7. ^ Feds: Judge Sought To Frame Foe. WDSU. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  8. ^ Feds: Judge Sought To Frame Foe. WDSU. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  9. ^ Feds: Judge Sought To Frame Foe. WDSU. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  10. ^ Feds: Judge Sought To Frame Foe. WDSU. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  11. ^ Disgraced Jefferson Parish Louisiana Judge Ronald Bodenheimer Released From Federal Prison.... Bad Cop News. Retrieved on 22 September 2007.
  12. ^ Disgraced Jefferson Parish Louisiana Judge Ronald Bodenheimer Released From Federal Prison.... Bad Cop News. Retrieved on 22 September 2007.
  13. ^ Judge Ronald Bodenheimer
  14. ^ Judge rules on Copeland records. Times-Picayune. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  15. ^ Judge Ronald Bodenheimer
  16. ^ Judge rules on Copeland records. Times-Picayune. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  17. ^ Judge Ronald Bodenheimer
  18. ^ Judge Berrigan Sentences Judge Bodenheimer
  19. ^ Judge Berrigan Sentences Judge Bodenheimer
  20. ^ Benching the Judges. Gambit Weekly. Retrieved on 18 January 2008.
  21. ^ www.ladb.org/CLEMaterials/2005/PlattsmierText.pdf