After being arrested last year for allegedly bribing a candidate vying for the superintendent's job, John Miller and Quincy Richard retained their seats as members of the St. Landry Parish School Board, but that likely won't last. On Monday Miller pleaded guilty in federal court, also implicating Richard in the conspiracy.
After being arrested last year for allegedly bribing a candidate vying for the superintendent's job, John Miller and Quincy Richard retained their seats as members of the St. Landry Parish School Board, but that likely won't last. On Monday Miller pleaded guilty in federal court, also implicating Richard in the conspiracy.
According to a press release issued Monday afternoon by U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley's office, Miller, 72, of Opelousas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
John Miller
Last year, as the St. Landry Parish School Board was going through the review process for the open superintendency position, Miller admitted he and Richard arranged a series of meetings with Joseph Cassimere, one of five candidates vying for the job. After reaching a negotiated price, the three had a final meeting on Sept. 24, just two days before the board would cast a vote deciding who would get the superintendent job.
Quincy Richard
Little did they know at the time that Cassimere had been cooperating with the FBI, or that federal agents were watching and listening in on their Sept. 24 meeting inside the Quarters Restaurant in Opelousas.
According to Finley's office:
The defendants met with Cassimere on Sept. 24, 2012 at the Quarters Restaurant in Opelousas and received $5,000 each in return for their votes. They made it clear that Cassimere had also secured their services, efforts, influence and due diligence to secure the votes of other members of the school board for Cassimere's candidacy. Richard added that Cassimere could also recoup his $10,000 bribe by adding that amount to his salary request. Miller instructed Cassimere on how to make and justify a meritorious salary request above the amount listed for the superintendent's salary as advertised. This conversation of Sept. 24, 2012 had been under video and audio surveillance. After the defendants exited the restaurant, they were confronted by authorities who recovered the $5,000 payments.
Miller now faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Charges against his alleged counterpart, Richard, are pending.
The IND was unable to determine if Miller has tendered his resignation. Voice messages the paper left with Miller, board President Harry Fruge and Superintendent Edward Brown were not immediately returned.