Businessman Charged with Bribing Former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard

NEW ORLEANS—William P. Mack, age 63, a resident of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count bill of information with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to court documents, beginning in 2002, Mack, the president and owner of First Communications Company (FCC), a provider of telecommunications equipment and services, began a business relationship with then-Jefferson Parish councilman Aaron F. Broussard (Broussard). This relationship entailed Mack paying Broussard approximately $1,500 per month in exchange for Broussard’s official acts to steer telecommunications work to Mack and his company, FCC. By 2004, when Broussard was elected Jefferson Parish President, Mack continued to corruptly pay Broussard approximately $1,500 per month in exchange for Broussard’s efforts to steer work, including Parish telecommunications work, to FCC. As noted in the bill of information, during the time Broussard was Parish President, Mack paid him approximately $66,000 in exchange for, among other things, Jefferson Parish telecommunications work, collectively worth approximately $40,000.

If he is convicted, Mack faces a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Chester and Brian M. Klebba.