The New Orleans Parish District Attorney is trying to avoid paying a multi-million dollar payout, which he inherited, by declaring bankruptcy. Leon Cannizzaro is keeping his options open in order to avoid paying $15 million in damages to an ex-convict as per a jury verdict, declared in 2007. Cannizzaro's appeal to overturn the verdict was denied by an appeals court last month. The court passed a verdict against the district attorney's office for prosecutorial misconduct during the 80's when the department was under the aegis of Harry Connick.
Former death row inmate John Thompson was awarded $14 million in damages plus attorney's fee and interest by a jury in 2007. The verdict was passed as compensation for the fact that Thompson spent 18 years of his life in a prison cell after prosecutors hid evidence that could have benefited him, in order to improve their chances of convicting him for the murder of Ray Liuzza.
Cannizzaro wants to exercise the rarely used option of filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. This legal protection is used by municipalities to hold of creditors and possibly reduce debts. However, this measure considerably damage the credit rating of the public agency.
To read more about the case click here.
Former death row inmate John Thompson was awarded $14 million in damages plus attorney's fee and interest by a jury in 2007. The verdict was passed as compensation for the fact that Thompson spent 18 years of his life in a prison cell after prosecutors hid evidence that could have benefited him, in order to improve their chances of convicting him for the murder of Ray Liuzza.
Cannizzaro wants to exercise the rarely used option of filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. This legal protection is used by municipalities to hold of creditors and possibly reduce debts. However, this measure considerably damage the credit rating of the public agency.
To read more about the case click here.
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