Former St. John Parish President Bill Hubbard pleads guilty
September 25, 2009, 11:58AM
Former St. John the Baptist Parish President Bill Hubbard has pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of conspiracy to give and solicit bribes involving three companies that have contracts with the parish.
JOHN MCCUSKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Former St. John the Baptist Parish President Bill Hubbard enters the U.S. Court House in New Orleans with his wife Sherry Friday, September 25, 2009.
Hubbard, along with his attorney Donald “Chick” Foret, appeared before U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to enter the plea.
Sentencing has been set for Dec. 15.
Hubbard resigned his post Thursday after a bill of information was made public showing he has been charged by federal authorities with conspiracy to solicit and give bribes.
Hubbard is accused of soliciting $20,000 in bribes from three parish contractors, referred to in documents as Vendor A, Vendor B and Vendor C. Sources have told the Times-Picayune those vendors are Pipeworks Plumbing & Demolition, Parson & Sanderson, and Davezac Consulting Engineers.
Hubbard, 46, of LaPlace, could face a maximum of five years in jail, a fine of $250,000 and up to three years of probation after pleading guilty. His expected guilty plea hit a small snag earlier in the proceeding after Hubbard contested the factual basis of the case, part of which includes that he had a sexual relationship with a woman whom federal authories said he bought a car for last spring with money given to him by parish contractors.
Hubbard has repeatedly denied that the woman was his girlfriend. He called her an acquaintance who was down on her luck that he did a favor for.
Zainey called for a recess and told Hubbard that in order for him to accept a guilty plea, both sides must accept the factual basis of the case.
After conferring with his attorney, Hubbard, who was accompanied to court with his wife, agreed that he’d had a sexual relationship with the woman authorities say he bought a car for last spring.
Sources say the money was used to buy a Toyota Camry for the woman.