Two State Legislators Call for Jordan's Empeachment

Section: Business

Times Picayune

Newly elected state Sen. Steve Scalise, whose represents Jefferson Parish's 9th District, said this morning on WWL radio that crime has gotten out of control in New Orleans.

"A lot of people, myself included, have been real concerned about a criminal justice system functioning in this city," Scalise said in the radio interview. "Right now, it is not."

Scalise said he and state Rep.-elect Cameron Henry, his replacement in the House,
will introduce the legislation to unseat Jordan. The next regular session is scheduled to begin March 31, but Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal has said he will call a special legislative session dealing with ethics reform shortly after he takes office Jan. 14.

Scalise said he hopes to build a coalition of legislators to support his proposal, adding that crime that emanates in the city is "spreading throughout the New Orleans region." Unlike Scalise, Henry's 82nd District includes a small part of New Orleans in the Riverbend section.

Resentment has boiled over in New Orleans over Jordan's office. Some citizens started an "Impeach Eddie Jordan" campaign.

Jordan, who is black, has taken heavy criticism this week after a federal judge ruled that the assets of his office could be seized to pay off a $3.7 million judgment against his office for racial discrimination in the firing of white employees.

Jordan was again under fire this week after acknowledging that a young man who was an acquaintance of Jordan's girlfriend stopped by his house briefly after allegedly committing an armed robbery. That man, 20-year-old Elton Phillips, is also eyed in the shooting of a police officer 30 hours later. He is still at large.