Beckner's Record
The U.S. Attorney's Office racked up an impressive list of accomplishments during Don Beckner's four-year term. The highlights of that term are:
The trial and conviction of Teamster boss Edward Grady Partin for obstruction of justice. Partin is serving an eight-year sentence in a federal penitentiary.
The conviction of Lee Wesley and Kent Smith for conspiracy to defraud the government and misapplication of federal funds in the Community Advancement Inc. scandal.
The racketeering conviction of William Thatcher and Robert Grapp, executives of Honeywell Information Systems, in a $6.6 million scheme to defraud the state in connection with the lease of computer equipment.
The conviction of State Senator Gaston Gerald for attempting to extort $25,000 from a local contractor in return for favorable votes before the city parish council. Gerald is serving a five-year sentence in a federal penitentiary and was expelled from the state senate.
The conviction of Henry Holden, business manager for Pipefitters Local 198 for obstruction of justice in attempting to influence the federal grand jury during the investigation of State Sen.Gerald Holden is serving a two-year federal prison sentence.
The conviction of Commissioner of Agriculture Gill Dozier for running that state office through a pattern of racketeering including bribery; extortion and attempted extortion from persons and companies doing business with the Department of Agriculture. Dozier was sentenced to two consecutive five-year prison terms. It is the sole conviction in the U.S. of a statewide public official on racketeering charges. The conviction is on appeal.
The conviction of City Councilman Gordon Curry, Jr. on mail fraud charges in connection with his personal appropriation of over $15,000 in funds paid by candidates to P.E.O.P.L.E., Inc. The conviction is on appeal.
The conviction of Bill Durnin, president of local 1833, International Longshoremen's Association of embezzlement of union funds. Durnin is serving his sentence.
The conviction of four persons in a large bookmaking and gambling operation in the Middle District.
The conviction of Joseph Modicut, Jr. in a national coupon fraud scheme netting over a half million dollars a year. Modicut is serving a three-year sentence.
The conviction of three persons, including a local bank officer, in a scheme to grant loans in exchange for kickbacks.
The conviction of William Nelson Coxe, the president of Livingston Savings and Loan, of federal banking violations. Coxe is serving his sentence.
The conviction of Felix Dottolo and Craig Nelson for conspiracy and theft in the theft of two barges of soybeans valued at $1.25 million, amounting to the largest theft in one taking in the U.S. goods destined for interstate commerce.
The conviction of Julian Johnson, local attorney, on a 13-count indictment charging mail fraud and making false declarations in a scheme to defraud two title insurance companies and eight financial institutions.
The completion of the investigation into the 1976 contract murders of Jim Leslie and Rusty Griffith. Five have been indicted in the murders. The trial begins May 11.
The first phase of investigation into the Louisiana Department of Education. Two department officials and one businessman are currently on trial for receiving a $360,000 kickback in return for a state contract.
