Letten ‘weighing options’ on future, mum on cases

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — At his first public appearance since leaving office, former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says he is still weighing his options for the future.

Letten also said he is optimistic that New Orleans officials and the Justice Department will work together to improve the city’s troubled police department, despite recent differences between the two sides over the costs of reform.

Letten wouldn’t comment on specifics regarding the police issue or cases he oversaw as U.S. Attorney.

Letten resigned last month. His departure came after two veteran prosecutors in his office admitted anonymously posting criticism of judges and comments about cases on a newspaper website.

He spoke with reporters Tuesday at a hotel where he addressed a benefit for the “Court Watch NOLA” organization, which monitors New Orleans’ criminal justice system.

Comments

1) Comment by tradewinns - 15/01/2013

so what is being said is free speach will get you fired? the voters are ask to elect/reinstate judges about which the average voter has no contact and knows nothing about them. it would be very useful to know which judges are strict, which are liberal, which ones turns loose criminals back on society with a "stern talking to" and which ones put them where they cannot hurt others (at least for awhile). also interesting to know would be who works in an effective manner and who is slow. most judges are never/seldom in any hurry to expidite cases. it means nothing to them and they are on a salary anyway. the cost of inefficiency is bourne by the taxpayer not the "justice" official. this type of information on judges would and should, be published. teachers are now graded, lets include judges.