Dr. Anna Pou was the doctor wrongfully accused by then-attorney general Charles Foti and then never indicted for purportedly killing patients at Memorial Medical Center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Times Picayune reports that a state panel has recommended 7-1 that the state pay the more than $450,000 she spent to defend herself. She spent these fees between her arrest and a year later when the grand jury refused to indict and then her arrest was expunged. Now the recommendation goes to the state legislature, which can follow it, pay some, or refuse to pay.
Foti turned the case over to then-Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan, who in turn impaneled a grand jury to consider the charges. By that time, the case had made international headlines and Pou had garnered widespread public sympathy for staying on the job to treat patients despite being trapped without power in the hospital surrounded by Katrina floodwaters.
“Katrina made villains, fools and it made heroes out of people, ” Ben Bagert, a former state senator who sat on the fee panel, told Pou’s attorney, Rick Simmons. “Your client is one of those who was a hero.”
Louisiana law allows state workers to be reimbursed for legal expenses incurred due to actions they took as part of their official duties if they are ultimately exonerated. …
The only opposition on the panel came from Sam D’Aquilla, who represented the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association. He said the legal bills submitted by Simmons to support his claim included too much redacted information….
Foti needs his ass whipped. repeatedly.
With a knout if possible.
Kingfish-Add to the Pou disaster (political grandstanding at its worst!)the lawsuits on behalf of the state handed out to private firms…WHILE HE WAS A LAME DUCK!!! At least Caldwell dropped a few of them as soon as he got in office. If Foti and Hood are typical of the AG’s in this country, we are in a lot of trouble.