Brilab Scandal (1980)
Louisiana: The State We're In
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 1980-02-15
Duration: 00:26:16
Subjects: Brilab scandal | SCANDALS | United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation | Political corruption | Edwards, Edwin W. | Fitzmorris, James E. (James Edward), 1921- | Freeman, Robert L., 1934- | MOUTON, EDGAR G. "SONNY" | LAMBERT, LOUIS | MARCELLO, CARLOS | Roemer, Charles, E., II, 1923-2012 | Louisiana. Office of Group Benefits | HEALTH INSURANCE | Louisiana Scandals, 1939 | Leche, Richard W. (Richard Webster), 1898-1965
Contributors:
- George, Beth Host
- Blome, Ron Host
- Fourrier, Clay Photographer
- L'Herisson, Sandra Photographer
- Mundinger, Lewis Photographer
- Blome, Ron Reporter
- Blome, Ron Editor
- Gates, Bob Producer
- George, Beth Producer
- Gates, Bob Director
- Zewe, Charles Reporter
- Edwards, Edwin Speaker
- Freeman, Bobby Speaker
- Lambert, Louis Speaker
- Gravel, Camille Speaker
- Voltz, John Speaker
- Bella, V.J. Speaker
- Dornblaser, Bob Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from February 15, 1980, features an examination of an FBI investigation, codenamed Bri-Lab, surrounding an insurance kickback scheme that resulted in grand jury subpoenas for 13 Louisiana officials, including Governor Edwin Edwards, Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris, Lieutenant Governor-Elect Bobby Freeman, State Senator Sonny Mouton and Public Service Commission Chairman Louis Lambert, and further implicated Commissioner of Administration Charles Roemer and New Orleans mobster Carlos Marcello. This episode features: the headlines from the Bri-Lab investigation; statements made outside of the federal courthouse by Freeman, Lambert and his attorney Camille Gravel and Governor Edwin Edwards; a press conference by U.S. Attorney John Voltz on the continuing investigation; a report on undercover FBI agents staking out the office of Carlos Marcello; a repeat showing of a legislative investigation on alleged mismanagement of the state’s group health insurance program from June 1979; and a look back at the Louisiana Scandals of 1939, which resulted in the resignation of Governor Richard Leche and 250 indictments of state officials. Hosts: Beth George and Ron Blome