WVUE - FOX 8 Investigates

FOX 8 Investigates: JP, contractor feud over Arts Center

Rob Masson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:54:00 EDT

The Jefferson Parish Council is considering whether to hold the contractor for the Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Center in default. But the contractor of the long-delayed project is now threatening to hold the parish in default for non-payment.

Lee Zurik Investigation: A tale of two sheriffs

Lee Zurik — Wed, 8 May 2013 23:15:00 EDT

Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman writes the law firm Usry, Weeks & Matthews a bi-weekly check, totaling at least $65,000. The payment is made with little proof of work done by the law firm. They don't submit a detailed hourly billing account, don't even charge an hourly rate, only a bi-weekly flat fee with some added-on costs, for a total of about $1.7 million a year. In nearby St. John Parish, they have a much different arrangement.

Out to Lunch: Councilwoman, judge react to investigation at Criminal Court

Meg Gatto — Wed, 8 May 2013 09:24:00 EDT

A New Orleans city councilwoman speaks out about the FOX 8 Investigates report that revealed expensive meals that have been purchased in recent years for judges, juries and court staff at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

Out to Lunch: Pricey meals for jurors, court staff at Orleans Criminal Court

Meg Gatto — Tue, 7 May 2013 21:51:00 EDT

A FOX 8 investigation into court records at Orleans Parish Criminal Court revealed jurors there are eating far better than most, and court staff are eating for free -- all at the expense of taxpayers.

Cashing In After Isaac: Best of both worlds in St. Bernard

Kim Holden — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:20:00 EDT

As another hurricane season approaches, we focus on St. Bernard Parish, where salaried government employees are paid at a regular hourly rate for all hours worked -- and even those not worked.

Feds investigate former St. Charles DA

Lee Zurik — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:42:00 EDT

The FBI has requested records from the Clerk of Court's office, and our sources say the probe involves DWI's and alleged sexual favors.

FOX 8 Defenders: Prosecutors build bigger case against pastor

Shelley Brown — Wed, 6 Feb 2013 13:14:00 EST

Prepared to go to trial today, Pastor Elijah Mealancon got worked up when he heard prosecutors tell the judge they would be filing a new bill of information.

FOX 8 Defenders: Local Festiva dispute settled

Shelley Brown — Tue, 5 Feb 2013 11:20:00 EST

The FOX 8 Defenders started investigating the national resort rental company for alleged fraud a year and a half ago.

FOX 8 Investigates: Civil Service considering emergency overtime reforms

Kim Holden — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:44:00 EST

A FOX 8 investigation into City Hall executives earning an unprecedented amount of overtime during Hurricane Isaac leads to proposed rule changes.

FOX 8/The Lens Investigation: Historic house move payments debate

Shelley Brown — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:15:00 EST

In 2010, the city spent federal dollars to lift dozens of historic homes off of their foundations and relocate them to other New Orleans neighborhoods to be preserved. Two years after the big move, many residents aren't too pleased with their new neighbors.

FOX 8 Defenders: Man arrested in storm screen theft

Shelley Brown — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 23:00:00 EDT

A local man was arrested and is the subject of a second investigation after a FOX 8 Defenders report. In a follow-up, investigators on both sides of the river are focused on Cornelius Washington.

FOX 8 Investigates: New developments in historic house-moving project

Shelley Brown — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:00:00 EDT

FOX 8 and The Lens have learned the city of New Orleans has revoked $2 million from a group that played a big role in a massive house moving project.

FOX 8 Investigates: New Orleans jail plans worry reformers

Rob Masson — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:05:00 EDT

In a joint investigation with The Lens, FOX 8 News has obtained emails that show discussions are underway, and plans have been drawn, to build a new jail in Orleans Parish that could hold 600 more inmates than are currently allowed under city law.

FOX 8 Investigates Update: NOPD officers didn’t do their jobs

Shelley Brown — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:05:00 EDT

After a FOX 8 Investigates report, "Hidden in Plain Sight," prompted the NOPD to launch its own departmental probe, FOX 8 has learned that an NOPD internal investigator has found that two officers who handled a violent hit and run crash did not do their jobs.

FOX 8 Investigates: Hidden in Plain Sight

Shelley Brown — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:47:00 EDT

The owner of a large diesel pickup truck that was stolen and involved in a destructive hit and run in September 2011 says New Orleans Police took seven months to tell him what happened to his truck.

The Lens: City contractor accused in kickback deal is set to plead guilty and is cooperating

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EDT

As expected, a one-time city contractor facing federal charges in a Nagin-era kickback scheme is cooperating with investigators and is set to plead guilty next week, according to his attorney and court documents.

FOX 8 Investigates: NOPD settles dispute with former cop

Kim Holden — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:49:00 EDT

A former New Orleans Police Department sergeant who claims he was pressured into resigning from the force has cleared up his personnel file.

FOX 8 Investigates: Historic homes left roofless

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EDT

The city spent millions of dollars to save them from demolition. Now there's concern over whether historic homes that were moved off the footprint of the future VA hospital

FOX 8 Investigates: IG clears NOPD Chief Serpas

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:48:00 EDT

The city's inspector general has cleared New Orleans police chief Ronal Serpas of any wrongdoing in connection with the chief's pension application.But, IG

Serpas responds after FOX 8 investigates his NOPD return

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:27:00 EDT

The NAACP is calling for an investigation into alleged inconsistencies surrounding last year's return of New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas.

FOX 8 Investigates: NOPD officer arrested for writing fake tickets

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:20:00 EDT

A New Orleans police officer has been accused of writing hundreds of fake tickets in a scheme to collect overtime he did not earn.In June, New Orleans Police officer

FOX 8 Investigates: OPP nurse claims unsanitary conditions

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:55:00 EDT

It is home to 2,000 of some of the city's worst offenders.Besides people convicted of crimes, the Orleans Parish Prison also houses hundreds of people awaiting

Exclusive: Teen says cop threatened him with 2 guns, DA won't prosecute

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:23:00 EDT

Confused and angry, 18-year-old Michael Martin says the justice system failed him.

Exclusive video: Off-duty NOPD cop pulls out 2 guns during dispute

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:26:00 EDT

Two guns, two men, but only one of them was armed. It all made for an unusual April afternoon in New Orleans East that left one New Orleans Police officer without a job.

City wants more time to investigate suspended taxicab bureau employees

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:31:00 EDT

Three suspended taxicab bureau employees will have to wait until August to learn their fate.

FOX 8 Investigates update on roofless historic homes

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:14:00 EDT

Four and a half months after a FOX 8 investigation revealed historic homes meant to be preserved had been left roofless, many are still exposed to the elements.

Unique glimpse into violations committed by 39 NOPD employees

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:51:00 EDT

A stack of reports, obtained FOX 8 and our investigative partners at The Lens, show instances where NOPD employees appear to violate the city's trust, according to the NOPD itself.

The Lens: Landrieu asks City Council to move appeals of camera-generated tickets to Traffic Court

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:55:00 EDT

Mayor Mitch Landrieu's office this morning will place an ordinance before the City Council that, if approved, would move contested traffic-camera tickets from Civil Court to Traffic Court, a move that could raise millions of dollars for Traffic Court.

FOX 8 Investigates: Reverend mum on how she spent $404,000 from the city

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:02:00 EDT

Michael Dezura is surprised, frustrated, and a 10 year resident of New Orleans neighborhood of Gert Town.

FOX 8 Investigates: NOPD detail paid $250,000 since November

Kim Holden — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:06:00 EDT

FOX 8 has learned the commander of the New Orleans Police Department's Eighth District may not be the only NOPD officer allegedly violating the department's paid detail policy.

FOX 8 Investigates: Taxi-Cab Bureau investigators suspended

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:11:00 EDT

The city of New Orleans has taken action against three employees in the Taxi-Cab Bureau.

FOX 8 Investigates: Recordings reveal new details about cabbie case

Kim Holden — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:14:00 EDT

Some cab drivers in New Orleans say the alleged corruption involving the city's taxi cab bureau and one cab company is much more wide-spread.

FOX 8 Investigates: 2 arrested for alleged taxi permit scheme

Kim Holden — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:24:00 EDT

New Orleans police have arrested two people, including a city inspector and a top executive at one of the city's biggest cab companies.

City responds to boathouse leases

Natasha Robin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:32:00 EDT

Ray Colvin spends a lot of time at West End fishing and enjoying the lakefront. He parks his truck just a half a block away from elaborate boat houses that sit on city property.

Questions surface over city owned boat houses

Natasha Robin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:37:00 EDT

All along Breakwater Drive there are boat houses. Some are set aside as a weekend getaway, others, a place considered a more permanent residence.

North Shore residents seek info on flood insurance changes

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:54:00 EDT

Several residents gathered for a workshop in Mandeville to learn how FEMA's new flood insurance rates might affect their properties.

St. Bernard deputies bust meth lab behind Chalmette house

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:22:00 EDT

"Two women were arrested and one's husband is sought after St. Bernard Parish narcotics agents broke up a small meth lab behind a Chalmette house late Wednesday afternoon, acting on information that three young children in the house could be in danger."

NOPD officer found not guilty of bribery

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:30:00 EDT

Officer John Ray, a 37-year veteran, was indicted last December on a felony charge of public bribery. He pleaded not guilty at trial, and Wednesday jurors agreed.

Governor signs bill criminalizing release of concealed permits

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:56:00 EDT

Despite criticism it would violate the First Amendment, Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday signed into law a bill that makes it a crime for journalists or anyone else to publicly identify concealed handgun permit holders or applicants.

Metairie moving company accused of extortion

Sabrina Wilson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:14:00 EDT

Mandeville police have booked the owner of a Metairie moving company with extortion and more arrests are expected soon.

Coroner takeover moves forward, in light of new audit

Rob Masson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:09:00 EDT

The president of St. Tammany Parish says she's moving ahead with efforts to take control of the coroner's finances, in spite of a lawsuit challenging that effort. Pat Brister says a new financial report gives good reason why the takeover needs to take place.

Gulf "dead zone" predicted to be largest ever recorded

Nicondra Norwood — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:04:00 EDT

Each summer, massive areas of the usually fertile Gulf of Mexico fishing grounds become uninhabitable to most sea life. FOX 8 spoke with a scientist who says this year the "dead zone" may be the largest since monitoring began in 1985.

Russia could stand in way of Obama's nuke cuts

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:34:00 EDT

By saying he intends to bargain with Russia over new reductions in nuclear weapons, rather than make cuts on his own, President Barack Obama is asking for cooperation from a former Cold War foe in no mood to agree.

FBI seeks Mid-City bank robber

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:33:00 EDT

Federal agents say a bank robber wearing a reflective work vest held up the Gulf Coast Bank branch in Mid-City early Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor Landrieu, Sheriff Gusman spar over jail safety

Meg Gatto — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EDT

Violence at Orleans Parish Prison forced deputies to send four inmates to the emergency room all on the same day.

Suspects sought for attempted robbery in the French Quarter

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:46:00 EDT

The NOPD is searching for two suspects that attempted to rob a woman as she walked in the 900 block of Conti Street.

Mandeville police arrest moving company owner for extorting customer

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:03:00 EDT

Mandeville Police have arrested the owner of "Mr. Move" moving company and charged him with Extortion and Unauthorized use of a Movable.

Man charged with tossing wife off cruise ship

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:26:00 EDT

A California grand jury has indicted a Florida man on charges he strangled his ex-wife and tossed her off a cruise ship in Italy.

Friends, family try to understand death of 5-year-old girl

Carolyn Scofield — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:33:00 EDT

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's investigators say a 13-year-old boy killed his young sister when he tried wrestling moves on the 5-year-old girl.

Woman unmasks robber to find grandson

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:59:00 EDT

Police say a New Mexico woman who confronted a masked intruder in her home stumbled upon a shocking discovery when she ripped off his disguise — the robber was her grandson.

Natural gas pipeline blast creates massive crater

Rob Masson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:25:00 EDT

It was a blast that could be seen and heard for miles. A natural gas pipeline ruptured near Franklinton Tuesday morning, and dozens of residents were forced from their homes.

Terrytown teen charged in murder of 5-year-old sister

FOX8Live.com Staff — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EDT

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrests a 13-year-old boy for the murder of his 5-year-old step-sister after the boy claimed he was practicing wrestling moves on the little girl.

Construction at Tulane's new stadium running on schedule

Jennifer Hale — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:32:00 EDT

Green Wave fans and supporters have been willing to open their wallets to ensure the university finally gets back something it hasn't had since the old Tulane Stadium closed in 1974: an on-campus football experience.

After child's death, media violence is called into question

Meg Gatto — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:57:00 EDT

The criminal investigation into the case continues, but already the teen suspect's claims have pushed questions about violent video programming and child behavior back into focus.

Police seeking missing 15-year-old girl from N.O. East

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:14:00 EDT

"Officers are asking the public's help in finding 15-year old Shanna Rodgers, who was last seen yesterday at about 10:00 P.M."