Two weeks ago, WNPR reported on the story of a former Hartford businessman who became a well-paid undercover operative for the FBI. That man, William Myles, is now at the center of a series of federal indictments of Louisiana politicians. As WNPR's Jeff Cohen reports, another trial concluded this week. Myles and federal prosecutors scored another victory Wednesday -- a guilty verdict for a small town Louisiana mayor accused of selling his office for $22,000 in personal gain. That makes two guilty verdicts and one acquittal in the federal sting so far. John McLindon is an attorney in Baton Rouge. He says Wednesday's conviction of former New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson should put some fear into the minds of upcoming defendants. "They're going to say, okay, you know, two of the three have been convicted, and in fact, Tommy Nelson's jury convicted him in less than one hour. And I think that for the remaining defendants, I think that's going to be a big, big chill on them and I'd be surprised if any of them go to trial."
Myles' job in Louisiana was to pose as a corrupt businessman selling a fake garbage can cleaning company to small politicians. He made more than half a million dollars from his work nationwide with the FBI. With his cooperation, the federal government indicted several public officials on bribery and other charges. But years earlier, Myles worked for the firm overseeing Hartford's school construction under disgraced former Mayor Eddie Perez. In court, Myles said he originally decided to work for the FBI because he was disgusted with the public corruption he saw in Connecticut's capital city. He also told the court that he had witnessed corrupt activity in Hartford city government, taped it, and given those tapes to the FBI.
