Two Monroe, Louisiana City Councilmen Indicted for Racketeering and Extortion

Defendants Charged with Taking Bribes in Connection with Matters Before the Council

June 24, 2010 - MONROE, LA—Two members of the Monroe, Louisiana City Council were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of racketeering and extortion for taking bribes from individuals and organizations with business before the council, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. Robert E. “Red” Stevens, 58, and Arthur Gilmore, Jr., 52, were named in a two count indictment charging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), and the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951. Both defendants will be scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Karen Hayes in Monroe on July 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Today’s indictment is the result of a two year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police. The indictment alleges that Stevens and Gilmore, both of whom were elected to their positions in 1996, used their offices and positions as elected city councilmen to enrich themselves by accepting cash and other things of value from individuals and organizations having business before the council. In exchange, Stevens and Gilmore are alleged to have taken and promised to take actions favorable to these individuals and organizations. The indictment alleges that these activities occurred from 2006 to the end of 2009.

The RICO count alleges nine specific instances where Stevens and Gilmore are charged with having violated the Louisiana public bribery law by accepting money and other things of value from a local businessman who was cooperating with the investigation. In total, Stevens is alleged to have accepted bribes of $6,300.00, along with other valuable consideration, while Gilmore is alleged to have accepted bribes of $1,437.00, along with other valuable consideration, including a reduced purchase price for land.

If convicted, both men face a maximum sentence on Count 1, RICO, of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Hobbs Act is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroe Resident Agency, and the Louisiana State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing.