Big Easy Beat

Army Corps found responsible for MR-GO damage
A federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers could be held responsible for flooding damage in St. Bernard Parish and in the Lower 9th Ward because of the Corps’ significant mismanagement of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The ruling stated that the Corps knew for more than a decade that the MR-GO was a potential hazard but did little to improve conditions. The ruling sets the stage for an onslaught of lawsuits from the more than 100,000 residents who suffered property damage during Hurricane Katrina.

Jefferson gets 13 years
Former Congressional representative William Jefferson was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and racketeering. Jefferson will not serve his sentence until after the holiday season, but he will not be allowed to leave southern Louisiana and must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

Cao Stands Alone
Anh “Joseph” Cao was the lone House Republican to vote for President BarackObama’s healthcare bill. Cao, who represents a solidly Democratic district, said more than 20 percent of his district lacks healthcare, and Obama’s bill was the best option for them. Cao acknowledged that his decision could spell the end of his political career but said he did not regret his decision.

Disney Exhibit Opens at NOMA
The New Orleans Museum of Art will exhibit original artwork from Walt Disney and pieces from a number of Disney’s most famous movies. The exhibit will highlight the upcoming “The Princess and the Frog,” Disney’s newest movie which is set in New Orleans. The exhibit will run until March 14.