Press Release
Former City of New Orleans Building Inspector Sentenced
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that KEVIN RICHARDSON, 59, of New Orleans, was sentenced on January 13, 2022 by United States District Judge Susie Morgan to thirty (30) months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(3) and 2, use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity.
According to the court documents, RICHARDSON was employed as a building inspector for the City of New Orleans and utilized the internet-based City of New Orleans’ LAMA system to alter and/or delete city documents and submit material information. He solicited and accepted approximately $65,000 in bribe payments from individuals seeking favorable inspection reports and certificates of completion for properties that did not comply with the city and state building codes and for properties that had not been inspected. He also paid bribe money to a City of New Orleans permit analyst for the issuance of permits without proper documentation and plan review.
RICHARDSON’s sentence will be followed by one (1) year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
This matter was investigated by the City of New Orleans Office of Inspector General, Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight is prosecuting the matter.
Updated January 18, 2022
Topics
Financial Fraud
Public Corruption
Component