NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans City Councilman Jason Williams is under a federal investigation conducted by the FBI and IRS, according to our partners at The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.
Williams, who is running against Leon Cannizzaro for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office this Fall, said the investigation involved tax filing over several years that he acknowledged were flawed, according to the report.
Williams blamed his long-time tax preparer, Henry Timothy, who he said misrepresented himself and botched his taxes.
Cannizzaro released a statement saying that the Orleans DA's office is not involved in federal investigations.
“If you are telling me this investigation has been in the works for two years, that obviously pre-dates the councilman announcing another run for District Attorney," Cannizzaro said. "So his trying to blame an accountant, me, anyone but himself for being under suspicion of some federal crime is nothing but a lame and desperate attempt to distract the media and public from the facts being investigated."
Attorney Craig Mordock said he believes it's too early to speculate on the details of the investigation.
“Until the feds show their hand, we don’t really know what’s involved with the investigation,” Mordock said.
He said he believes the lawsuit may protect Williams’ rights to sue, especially if the statute of limitations could soon expire.
It’s unclear though when the federal investigation might be complete, or if charges will ever be filed in the case.
Neither Williams nor Timothy have been charged with any crime.
“If you are investigating a very popular city councilman and someone who's going to run for the district attorney’s office in the parish of Orleans, you better have all your ducks in a row — if you are going to file some sort of criminal prosecution in all this,” said Mordock.
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