Rodney Williams, New Orleans Contractor, Pleads Guilty to Bribing City Official

NEW ORLEANS—Rodney Williams, age 46, a New Orleans resident, pled guilty today to bribing a city of New Orleans official before United States District Judge Susie Morgan, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson and New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux. The bill of information charges Williams with being involved in a conspiracy to commit bribery and a scheme to deprive the citizens of the city of New Orleans of their right to receive the honest services of a public official (Public Official A).

According to the bill of information, Williams bribed Public Official A in connection with a series of transactions involving the city of New Orleans worth more than $5,000. In exchange for the payoffs, Public Official A used his public office to benefit Williams’ business interests with the city of New Orleans.

As alleged in the bill of information, this conspiracy began in or near November of 2007 and continued through May 2010. The charge of conspiracy carries up to five years’ imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

In connection with his guilty plea, Williams executed a plea agreement with the United States that includes full cooperation with the United States.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Inspector General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard R. Pickens, II and Matthew M. Coman.