Louisiana

Indigent Defense Assistance Board

Minutes of the Board Meeting

June 11, 2002

New Orleans, Louisiana

Stone Pigman Law Firm

Members Present: Anthony J. Marabella, Jr., Chair; Frank DeSalvo; John DiGiulio; Cameron Gamble; Michelle Ghetti; Wayne Lee; and Donald Phelps.

Ex Officio Members Present: James Boren; Anthony Champagne; and Henry Walker.

Staff Present: Edward R. Greenlee and Marsha Austtun Oliver.

Guests Present: Ben Cohen, Kerry Cuccia, Denise LeBoeuf, Jim Looney, Clive Stafford Smith, Stephen Singer and staff members of the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Center.

Call to Order and Opening Remarks. The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by the Chair. Ms. Oliver called the roll; a quorum was present. Mr. Marabella introduced himself to the Board and explained that he was running for election for judge in East Baton Rouge Parish and may not be on the Board for long. Mr. Marabella assured the board members and staff that he would move LIDAB business along during his tenure.

Review and Adoption of Minutes of the Last Meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting on February 8, 2002 were reviewed and then adopted by the Board with unanimous approval.

Certification of Attorneys for Capital Post-Conviction Representation. Mr. Greenlee recommended that he and Denise LeBoeuf, Director of the Capital Post-Conviction Project of Louisiana, draft rules for the certification of attorneys for capital post-conviction representation.

Continuing Legal Education Requirements of Capital Appellate Certification. Mr. Greenlee suggested that the requirements for capital appellate certification be revised to include appellate continuing legal education in addition to capital continuing legal education.

Winn Parish Emergency Grant. Mr. Greenlee recommended an emergency grant to Winn Parish in the amount of $7,000.00 for a budget shortfall. Mr. DiGiulio moved to approve the grant, Mr. DeSalvo seconded the motion which passed without opposition.

Request for Reimbursement from the Louisiana Supreme Court. Mr. Greenlee reviewed the request of the Supreme Court for reimbursement of expenses paid by the Court on behalf of the LIDAB predecessor, the Louisiana Indigent Defender Board. The expenses included a deposit on the office located at 210 Baronne Street and payment of taxes for a contract worker which the IRS subsequently determined to be an employee. Mr. Phelps moved that the reimbursement requested be paid to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Ms. Ghetti seconded the motion which was approved unanimously by the Board.

Funding Increase by House Appropriations Committee Amendment to House Bill 1. Mr. Greenlee advised the Board of an additional $300,000.00 appropriation to the LIDAB made by the legislature and dedicated to the Capital Program. The Board briefly discussed the best use of the additional money. The matter was deferred to the next meeting.

Budget Review for Fiscal Year 2002-2003. Mr. Greenlee reviewed the budget for fiscal year 2002-2003. The Board briefly discussed the budget.

Louisiana Crisis Assistance Corporation Contract for Fiscal Year 2002-2003. Mr. Clive A. Stafford Smith presented a proposal for the renewal of the grant for the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Center for fiscal year 2002-2003. The Board voted to renew the grant in the same amount as the previous fiscal year and to review the manner in which capital conflict cases are funded by the Board. Mr. Marabella appointed a committee to study this issue.

Other Business.

Executive Session. Mr. DeSalvo moved that the Board to proceed in an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a raise for the director, Edward R. Greenlee. Mr. Lee seconded the motion which passed without objection.

Resumption of Regular Meeting. When the regular meeting reconvened, Mr. DiGiulio moved to increase the salary of Mr. Greenlee. Ms. Ghetti seconded the motion which was approved unanimously by the Board.

Adjournment. There being no additional business brought to the attention of the Board, Mr. DiGiulio moved that the meeting be adjourned. Ms. Ghetti seconded the motion which passed without objection.