[StBernard] FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS THREE FORMER ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

[Westley Annis]

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS THREE FORMER ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL EMPLOYEES 
  NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -   DRENA CLAY and DEBRA HARRISON were convicted
today by a federal jury sitting in New Orleans after a seven-day trial of
charges relating to a scheme to illegally obtain Orleans Parish School
System funds in an extortion conspiracy as well as a program fraud
conspiracy, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.  Co-defendant WALTER TARDY
was also convicted today of lying to a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.  WILLIE MOORE, NOBLE GARNER and LILLIE CARMOUCHE were
acquitted of all charges.  

        Specifically, DRENA CLAY was convicted of an extortion, as well as
an extortion conspiracy.  CLAY was also convicted of a program fraud
conspiracy and program fraud.  DEBRA HARRISON were convicted of an extortion
as well as an extortion conspiracy.  She was also convicted of a program
fraud conspiracy and two counts of lying to the FBI.  WALTER TARDY was
convicted a false statement to federal agents during the course of the
investigation.   

        CLAY and HARRISON each face a maximum penalty of 55 years
imprisonment, $1.25 million in fines, and three (3) years of supervised
release.   TARDY faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, a
$250,000 fine and three (3) years supervised release.  Sentencing has been
scheduled for February 20, 2008. 

        This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.  This matter
was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carter Guice, Jr.,
Daniel Friel, and Richard Rose.