LOUISIANA RECORD

A wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuit brought by a former parking administrator for the city of New Orleans has been dismissed by a federal judge.

In hopes of avoiding a federal civil rights lawsuit over funding court transactions with fines and fees placed on predominantly poor defendants, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court (OPCDC) judges have voided $1 million in fees for court costs.

VILLE PLATTE — A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana against the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Ville Platte Police Department alleges that the plaintiffs experienced illegal investigative holds and a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights.

HOUMA — A federal judge has heard arguments regarding a minority judgeship case that strives to alter the at-large voting system to a district based method to create a minority district.

CINCINNATI — Oral arguments have begun before an appeals court in the case of Stryker vs. Christopher Ridgeway, a former sales representative scheduled to appeal his $750,000 loss in a lawsuit.

HOUMA — The Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority failed to notify the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that the group had settled two federal lawsuits.

HOUSTON — A Texas federal judge has awarded $24 million in fees and costs and approved a $175 million settlement for investors who reached a deal with BP PLC.

BATON ROUGE — One year after a state audit accused former Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte of flawed bookkeeping and bad hiring practices, LaCerte is suing the state's inspector general and executive auditor for defamation.

BATON ROUGE — Type 2 charter schools are facing another setback in public funding after the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled this month that the institutions are not public schools, and therefore cannot receive public funding.

SHREVEPORT — With a new presidential administration on the horizon, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs is confident it will only help an industry that has seen its fair share of challenges.