Former St. Charles District Attorney Harry Morel Charged with Obstruction of Justice

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today the unsealing of a Bill of Information charging HARRY J. MOREL, JR., with obstruction of justice in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(d)(1).

The Bill of Information charges MOREL with intentionally harassing an Individual A and thereby hindering, delaying, preventing, and dissuading Individual A from attending and testifying in a federal grand jury proceeding investigating possible wrongdoing by MOREL, in his capacity as St. Charles Parish District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney.

If convicted, MOREL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.     

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

U.S. Attorney Polite noted that the investigation has not implicated any other former or current employees of the St. Charles Parish District Attorney's Office.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, particularly Special Agent Michael Zummer, and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.   Assistant U.S. Attorney James Baehr is in charge of the prosecution.