Former New Orleans Aviation Director Sentenced to One Year for Obstruction of Justice

SEAN HUNTER, 44, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. to one year plus one day for obstruction of justice. In addition, the defendant was ordered to serve three years’ supervised release during which time he will be under federal supervision and risks additional imprisonment should he violate any terms of the release. HUNTER was fined $3,000 and ordered to complete 75 hours of community service.

According to documents filed in federal court, on September 27, 2005, HUNTER’s co-defendant, Shauna Crowden Hunter, contacted the AAA insurance company and falsely claimed that her 2005 BMW 525i, with a retail value of $53,377.27, was completely destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Court documents also state that Shauna Crowden Hunter falsely completed and mailed to the AAA company a notarized odometer statement that resulted in AAA issuing checks totaling over $55,000.00. According to the factual basis, SEAN HUNTER and Shauna Crowden Hunter made multiple misrepresentations to the AAA insurance company and others to conceal their continued use of the BMW.

HUNTER pled guilty on January 5, 2011, admitting that he used his position as the director of aviation for the Louis Armstrong International Airport to help conceal the illegal nature of the BMW and directed a subordinate employee at the airport to issue HUNTER a brake tag that he and his wife placed on the BMW.

According to court documents, in October, 2008, a traffic camera captured the BMW running a red light at the intersection of South Carrollton Avenue and Palmetto Street in New Orleans. The Carrollton Avenue ticket as well as a second red light ticket that was issued 12 days later were both mailed to the AAA insurance company. Approximately six months later, a New Orleans Police Detective discovered the BMW in a parking garage at the airport. With the assistance of the FBI, the NOPD determined that SEAN HUNTER and Shauna Crowden Hunter made a series of misrepresentations in an effort to conceal the true location of the BMW from insurance officials and law enforcement. SEAN HUNTER admitted that he attempted to influence a federal witness’ testimony in an effort to conceal from law enforcement and insurance officials the defendant’s continued use of the BMW. SEAN HUNTER also admitted that he attempted to influence a federal witness’ testimony in an effort to conceal from law enforcement and insurance officials the defendant’s continued use of the BMW.

Shauna Hunter is scheduled for trial in federal court in Houston, Texas on June 6, 2011 and has a trial date in federal court in New Orleans on July 11, 2011.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian M. Klebba and Matthew Chester of the Financial Crimes Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office.