Edwards Fraud Convictions Tossed

B A T O N   R O U G E, La., Dec. 7 -- A federal judge today tossed out more fraudconvictions against former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, but letstand more serious extortion and racketeering convictions.

“Strong independent evidence supports without a doubt the otherconvictions,” said U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola, who basedhis dismissal of fraud counts on a recent U.S. Supreme Courtruling.

It was not clear how the voided convictions would affectsentencing for Edwards and his son, Stephen, who were convictedwith three others in May in a conspiracy to rig riverboat casinolicenses.

Edwards said he was disappointed but not surprised the judge letthe other convictions stand.

“It’s a partial victory, but it’s not going to do us muchgood,” Edwards said. “It’s something to be thankful for. Everynow and then a blind hog finds an acorn.”

Awaiting Sentencing

The ruling came after two days of hearings, during whichPolozola questioned the jury foreman and reviewed convictions ofco-defendant Bobby Johnson, who missed part of the trial because ofheart surgery.

On Wednesday, Polozola threw out three fraud convictions — twoagainst Edwards and his son and a third against Johnson. Today’sruling tossed out the remaining mail and wire fraud convictionsagainst the Edwardses — three for fraud and one for conspiracy tocommit mail and wire fraud.

“We don’t think this will affect sentencing in any way,” U.S.Attorney Eddie Jordan said. “Sentencing is driven by the othercounts.”

Jordan said he was unsure if prosecutors would retry the voidedcounts or if they would appeal the judge’s ruling.

Virtual Life Sentence?Edwards, 73, was convicted of 17 counts of racketeering andfraud and acquitted of nine counts. He had faced a maximum sentenceof 250 years in prison and fines totaling $4.5 million, althoughfederal probation authorities reportedly recommended imprisonmentfor 11 to 14 years for Louisiana’s only four-term governor.