KENNER, La. — The state board overseeing construction contractors voted Thursday to revoke the license of James Mohamad, the former top building inspection and code enforcement officer for the city of Kenner.
The administrative action comes six weeks after Mohamad pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and tax fraud charges, admitting in March that he bribed a New Orleans inspector to get him fraudulent HVAC installation work permits in the city and then hid millions of dollars in income from the IRS.
Based on Mohamad’s criminal plea, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors accused him of various violations of his contractor’s license. The board had already suspended him in April 2021, shortly after he was arrested by federal agents and charged with the bribery scheme.
Mohamad’s attorney, Steve Petit, offered a no contest plea, asking the board to suspend Mohamad’s license until April 2023 before considering him for reinstatement. But the board rejected that plea, agreeing instead to revoke Mohamad’s license and requiring him to apply for a new license next year if he wants to work again as a contractor.