Louisiana's Newly Elected Governor Vows to Change the States' Corruption Image

Changing Louisiana's reputation for corruption would do more than just make over its image, Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal said Sunday: It could help the state attract businesses and win federal aid for hurricane recovery.

The methodical GOP congressman known for his wonkish style says residents of the state are tired of cronyism and corruption and may have had enough of colorful politicians.

The Republican congressman, a day after his historic win in an election that featured a dozen candidates for governor, pressed ahead with his campaign pledge, saying in an interview with The Associated Press that one of his first acts will be to call a special legislative session to reform ethics laws.

Just weeks after Katrina, federal officials brought the country's first post-storm public corruption indictment against Joseph Impastato, a St. Tammany Parish councilman accused of taking kickbacks in exchange for steering contracts for debris removal. Impastato has maintained he is innocent of the extortion, conspiracy and money laundering charges against him.

A few months later, Andrew Rose and Loyd Holliman, two Federal Emergency Management Agency employees, were indicted on charges that they solicited bribes while managing a FEMA base camp near New Orleans, according to federal records. They pleaded guilty and were sentenced in August to 21 months in federal prison.

The most surprising case came in August, when Oliver Thomas, a popular city councilman, pleaded guilty to accepting nearly $20,000 in bribes from convicted political operative, Stan "Pampy" Barre, New Orleans most notorious criminal. Thomas' case, more than any other, shook the walls at city hall, City Councilwoman Shelley Midura said.