The Daily Review from Morgan City, Louisiana • 6

Page 6, The Daily Review, Morgan City, Friday, January 14, 2000 Houma-Thibodaux case ewage tireatmeinit fine hefty sewage in order to reap illegal financial gains," he said. The companies also admitted before U.S. District Judge Morey Sear that they failed to properly operate and maintain six sewage treatment plants in south Louisiana, Jordan added. Johnson Properties and its six subsidiaries pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal Clean Water Act. A federal grand jury in New Orleans indicted Johnson Properties, seven of its subsidiaries, Glenn Kelly Johnson and two of his associates in the fall of 1998.

Johnson, Montell Watkins of Baton Rouge, Carol Rowell of Denham Springs, and C.J. Cox Construction Co. Inc. of Brookhaven, are scheduled to go to trial Feb. 7 in New Orleans.

Watkins was president of Johnson Properties. Rowell was director of Enviro-Tech Treatment Labs which provided laboratory services to Johnson Properties. C.J. Cox, owned by Johnson's sister, operated and maintained Johnson Properties' subsidiaries' wastewater treatment facilities. In addition to being charged with conspiracy, Glenn Johnson is accused of engaging in witness tampering and obstruction of justice by attempting to bribe a witness to keep key information from federal investigators, Jordan said.

regulators have cited Johnson Properties for widespread failure to comply with environmental laws, with 600 violations cited in a four-day inspection of the company's roughly 175 plants in Louisiana. Johnson Properties founder Glenn Kelly Johnson of Vicksburg, and his family own numerous water and sewer systems in the Lafayette area under the umbrella of Acadiana Treatment Systems, in addition to systems in Livingston, Ascension, Pointe Coupee, Iberia, Rapides, St. Tammany and Lafourche parishes. Many residents served by the company in the Lafayette area have complained about bad service. Johnson is set to stand trial next month in New Orleans on charges relating to the sewage treatment problems in the Houma-Thibodaux area.

Johnson Properties and six of its subsidiaries Utility Management Services, Johnson Utility Co. Seashore Utilities Seashore Utilities of Louisiana Tara Development and Thoroughbred Park Service Corp. admitted Thursday that they conspired to enrich themselves and their executives at the expense of customers, Jordan said. "We will not tolerate businesses that place the citizens of this district at risk to the unhealthy conditions of untreated NEW ORLEANS (AP) An embattled company which owns 200-plus sewage treatment and drinking water plants in Louisiana and five other states pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge involving its failure to provide Houma-Thibodaux homeowners with basic sewage treatment. Johnson Properties Inc.

and six subsidiaries agreed Thursday to pay a criminal fine of nearly $4.5 million and make $165,000 in restitution to affected homeowners, U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan Jr. and other federal officials jointly announced. "These companies knowingly fa.led to provide sewage treatment services to the citizens of these communities, jeopardizing their health and safety," said Lois Schiffer, assistant attorney general for environment and natural resources at the U.S. Justice Department.

"They now pay the price, through fines and restitution, to these homeowners." Mississippi-based Johnson Properties filed for bankruptcy last March in Baton Rouge, where its key operating subsidiary Utility Management Services Inc. is located. A civil lawsuit also was filed against Johnson Properties in federal court in Lafayette, where the company was put into receivership by U.S. District Judge Tucker Melancon in March. i I i-J HANNAH GUARISCO, left, a senior at Morgan City High School, was named "Student of the Month" at the St.

Mary Parish School Board meeting Thursday. Guarisco accepted a plaque and a certificate. She has a 3.8 grade-point average and is involved in numerous extra-curricular activities and honor clubs. Centerville High senior Joey Simoneaux, not pictured, also was honored. Simoneaux maintains a 3.93 GPA and plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Also Thuy Tien, right, a sophomore at MCHS, received a standing ovation from St. Mary Parish School Board members after reading her award-winning essay. The missive took first place in the National Association for Bilingual Education essay contest in December. On Feb. 18, Tien will read her essay at the 29th annual convention of the NABE in San Antonio, Texas, and to pick up her $5,000 scholarship award.

Republican PAC wants new state party machine umi -1 LI- 1 A- Mn.1 take control of 'Thp main nnrnose of Rpnublican Renewal is to the wing has the majority vote in the party because he has never asked people RATON ROT ICE. (AP) With the governor's backine, a group of mainstream Republicans has formed a political action committee to wrest control of the GOP state central committee from the current power structure. The Christian right wing has been a strong force in the party since 1994 when Mike Francis of Crowley was elected chairman. Francis was adept at raising money but fell out of grace with traditionalist Republicans who felt the Christian right exerted too much influence. An example of the strife was the recent debacle over attempts to have the nation's first presidential caucuses.

Francis was an ardent supporter of a Jan. 15 caucus, but critics said it was simply an attempt to bolster support for Christian right candidates such as Gary Bauer. After frontrunners George W. Bush, John McCain and Steve Forbes declined to take part, Gov. Mike Foster was able to get the caucus i i Republican Party away from a small group serving their own personal agenda and give it back to all Louisiana Republicans," said McMains, who was joined at the news conference by a half dozen officials and party members.

"They are a bunch of fine, outstanding Republicans," Francis told reporters later. "But they are off base about a small group serving a personal agenda. That's a cheap shot. We've done everything on the central committee by majority vote." Francis said he is not seeking another term as chairman, noting that he has served longer than any chairman in modern Louisiana GOP history. But he will run for the central committee.

McMains said the PAC will field candidates in all races, including the Francis race. That's what America is all about," said Francis. about their religious affiliation. The head of the new Republican Renewal PAC is state Rep. Chuck McMains, a Foster ally.

He stressed Thursday that not all Christian right members are at odds with more traditional business-oriented party members. To make the point, McMains introduced the treasurer of the new Republican Renewal PAC, the Rev. Billy McCormack of Shreveport, who is on the national board of the Christian Coalition. McCormack said he is involved because his personal friend, the governor, has been opposed by the current party leadership. The PAC hopes to raise $300,000 in less than three months.

McMains said the committee will use the money in an effort to elect new members to the 213-member Republican State Central Committee. Committee members will be elected during the presidential primary on March 14. Francis has said repeatedly that he doesn't know if the Christian right Hundreds stake injury claim from B.R. barge leak three hours Thursday. Neither made it inside.

Samuel Hardy, a self-employed truck driver, said he Thursday. She said she got in line at 9 a.m. More than 100 people were still outside the old federal building, where lawyers were signing up plaintiffs for a class action lawsuit against Ingram Barge Co. People have been able to sign up since Dec. 15.

Ms. Washington and several others in line Thursday afternoon said they suffered from nausea, severe headaches and fatigue shortly after the barge accident U. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Angela Washington spent six hours line to add her name to the list of people who say they got sick because of chemical fumes from a barge which capsized in 1997. Today was the last day people could sign up for the lawsuit Ms.

Washington, of Baton Rouge, was one of the last people let inside before the doors closed at 3:30 p.m. Neither knew if he could afford another day waiting to signup. "My job doesn't pay me when I'm not at the plant," Anderson said. Walter Dumas, head of the lawyers' committee for the lawsuit, said in November that about 13,000 claim forms had already been submitted. was working on an old truck in his north Baton Rouge yard when he suddenly became nauseated.

1 didn't know what was going on," Hardy said. "I was out there working on my old truck and I got a weak stomach." He said he didnt know what was wrong until he saw television news reports about the barge accident James Anderson stood in line with Hardy for more than Mom who left three children arrested for cruelty the 38-year-old woman said. comment. The 8-year-old, Kahim, had told police that his mother informed him Jan. 5 that she was moving and that he and his siblings would have to live in a foster home, Cpl.

Don Kelly said Thursday. "The next morning, she rushed the three kids to get ready and then physically pushed them out of the apartment when they were reluctant to leave," Kelly said. "It is just a horrible case of mental cruelty for these children," Kelly said. It turned out that Diggs had sold her furniture, packed her clothes and moved out of the apartment, from which she was about to be evicted. An arrest warrant charging Diggs with cruelty to children had been issued.

The including Kahim, Nicole, 7, and Summer, 5, were in state custody. Neighbors said they had no idea that Diggs would abandon her children, but knew there was something "not right" with the way she had been acting. "Six months ago, she was fine. Then something changed her," said Rebecca DeLaney, the manager of the two-story, white brick River Pine apartment complex that sits off of one of the city's busiest roads. DeLaney would not elaborate on Diggs' change, but said the woman moved because she had been evicted for not paying her rent DeLaney said she had helped Diggs sell her bedroom set and some living room furniture so Diggs could get some cash for a new apartment.

Diggs left a bunk bed at a neighbor's apartment When the children came home from school and did not find their mother, they set out walking on a busy street, Kelly said. A neighbor spotted the children and took them to her home, expecting Diggs to arrive any moment. When Diggs had not come home by 10 p.m., the neighbor called the police. One neighbor, who declined to give her name, said she saw Diggs leaving the apartment complex that day. "Whtn she left, she looked at me and said 'dont worry about me.

Til be back on my feet before you know winked and walked away with a man," BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) One week after three children came home from school to find that their mother had cleared out their apartment and moved away, police have arrested the woman on cruelty charges. Cheryl Lynn Diggs, 35, was found Thursday afternoon, police said. They gave no details on what led them to the woman, accused of abandoning her 8-year-old son and her daughters, ages 7 and 5. Friends of Diggs said that Diggs said she could no longer take care of her children, called a caseworker and believed that her children were in state custody, WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge reported.

Officials from the Department of Social Services could not be reached for TP councilman wants to ban fireworks sales HOUMA, La. (AP) A freshman Terrebonne Parish councilman launched his maiden speech with a bang when he asked his fellow members to outlaw fireworks sales in his district Since November 1996, the old Ward 7 in Chauvin has been the only place in Terrebonne Parish where fireworks can be bought, sold and exploded. "It's a hot topic in my district," Peter Rhodes told the council Wednesday. "The majority of people want to do away with fireworks." Rhodes entered the meeting seeking a ban on sales permits to fireworks retailers, but after objections, he settled for public hearings on the proposal. Some council members worried that banning the fireworks sales where they are now permitted would leave the parish open to a lawsuit.

Opposing a change, Roxanne Sevin, representing a Ward 7 fireworks sales company called It's A Blast, told the council she employs 10 people and has invested 100,000 for the 2000 fireworks season. DeLaney said the children had been in foster homes before and that Diggs' oldest child lived with Diggs mother in Houma, about 100 miles south of Baton Rouge. "Those kids were sweet little kids," DeLaney said. "They were well dressed, really neat." Police say they do not know what may have caused Diggs to abandon her children. EWE home, resting BATON ROUGE, La.

(AP) Former Gov. Edwin Edwards was resting at home Thursday after spending two nights at a hospital because of the flu. Edwards left the hospital at 10:20 a.m. His doctor, Tom John, had advised Edwards to stay in bed until he gets his strength back, said Edwards spokeswoman Mary Jane Marcantel. Edwards had to be excused from his gambling corruption trial early Tuesday evening because he did not feel well.

Defendant Andrew Martin drove Edwards to the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, where he was admitted. Edwards was treated for dehydration, shortness of breath and a fever. He was given fluids intravenously and oxygen. U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola postponed jury selection until Tuesday, after Martin Luther King Jr.

Day. So far, no jurors have been seated. Edwards and six others are accused by federal prosecutors of manipulating the state's riverboat casino licensing process so they could make a profit Also indicted were Edwards' son, Stephen, state Sen. Greg Tarver, gambling board member Ecotry Fuller, Baton Rouge businessman Bobby Johnson, Edwards' former aide, Martin, and Eunice cattleman Cecil Brown. Proud, accomplished U.S.

Attorney Skinner steps down what educated would do something like that in this history, know the streets, and have the intelligence on Skinner said. "People often think that the drug cul day and age," Skinner said. "I think people like that should be forced to watch the documentary "Eyes on the Prize' and see what cross burning really symbolizes." Skinner also is proud of having diversified the staff of his own office. The prosecution of child pornography producers and possessors also resulted in some high-profile cases. "I came in at about the same time the Internet became popular, and a lot of child pornography cases were connected with computers and the Internet," Skinner said.

"I believe we're going to see that more and more as access to computers and the Internet proliferatesf Skinner said he always was surprised by the amount of ingenuity and intelligence that some people especial fraud defendants put into their crimes. A "I always thought that, if they would apply themselves to legitimate enterprises, they would do very well," he said. "Instead, they crossed the line." LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) Drug dealers and cops who protect them, white-collar criminals, smut peddlers, owners of toxic waste dumps, people who break civil rights laws. As he ends his six-year term as U.S.

Attorney, Mike Skinner looks back at the convictions and thinks of those who got away. "I'm very proud of what we've done, but you always feel, I think, that we could have done more," said Skinner, who returns to private practice Monday. Friday was his last day in office. The district he has overseen is the state's largest, covering Lafayette. Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe.

"I wont miss the long hours in the car, traveling the district," Skinner, who hails from Berwick, said Thursday. His high-profile convictions include that of Paul Green, a Lafayette Police captain fired and sent to prison for rclhng protection to the city's biggest drug dealer for more than a decade. "That's a prime example of a good cop gone bad, and of the corrosive power of drugs and drug money," these targets. "You need all of that together to get the big guys." Skinner's office also has concentrated upon is environmental prosecution, like the case against John Wesley Broussard, who owned several toxic waste dumps in Vermilion Parish. Federal clean-up officials described them as the worst they'd ever seen.

"We had others, but none as big as certainly none as potentially dangerous as thai," Skinner said. The office has also prosecuted and millions of dollars in fraud cases involving Medicare and Medicaid, the food stamp program and general financial fraud. Civil rights is another area of concentration for Skinner. His office acquired consent decrees from several local establishments that had refused to let black people in, including La Pouissiere in Breaux Bridge. Last year, the office prosecuted several men for burning a cross in a neighbor's yard.

"I was shocked that young people who are some ture influences only those who take drugs and sell drugs. That is not so." Dozens of other indictments brought down drug rings in Lafayette, New Iberia, Morgan City, Jennings, Lake Charles, Shreveport and Oakdale. "Some think that drug organizations are East Coast or West Coast or Chicago dealt," Skinner said. "But you will find very effective, very efficient and very profitable organizations even in small towns like Oakdale." Many of those drug cases were Southeast Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force cases. OCDETF cases join local, state and federal law enforcement together to bring down drug rinj-3.

This gives smaller agencies support they misjht not otherwise have, and gives larger agencies the advantage of local investigators' detailed intelligence on target suspects. 'It's important that we recognize what each agetcy does best," he said. "If you're targeting an organization that crosses state lines, a federal agency may do a better job. But it's the local agencies that know the -i I.