James Bernazzani, the head of New Orleans' FBI office, a silver-maned, tough-talking, Harvard-educated, larger-than-life crimefighter sent to squash public corruption in a jurisdiction notorious for it, was reassigned to the agency's national headquarters Friday after he publicly flirted with a run for mayor.
The abrupt transfer marks the end of Bernazzani's three-year tenure in New Orleans, a tumultous period during which he carved out a prominent niche as the face and voice of a very public war on corruption.
The FBI confirmed the move in a statement sent Friday in response to queries from The Times-Picayune.
"The recent media attention regarding a possible run for mayor could create the appearance of a conflict of interest," the statement read. "Even the appearance of a conflict must be avoided for the public to have the highest confidence in the FBI."
Bernazzani, meanwhile, said late Friday he's not sure if he'll return to Washington, hinting that his political ambitions in New Orleans are still alive.
"The FBI director and myself spoke at length about the circumstances surrounding my comments relative to my contemplation of public office, and it was decided I would better serve the FBI in Washington," he said. "I have not made a decision. But I love the city of New Orleans and I have to decide whether I want to serve the United States in New Orleans or serve the United States in Washington."
Why does no one ever want to serve New Orleans in New Orleans?
Reading this story, one has to ask, is he just cocky enough to believe himself above the Federal Laws he is charged with enforcing... or is he just stupid?
As it happens, the Hatch Act has recently been a concern of the local FBI office.
Barry Bernadas, a former intelligence analyst at the bureau's lakefront office, resigned from the FBI last fall after 23 years so that he could run for sheriff of St. Bernard Parish.
But before he had decided to run, Bernadas said, he was quizzed aggressively by high-ranking agents about his intentions.
"They asked me, 'Are you thinking about running for sheriff?'¤" he said. "I was told by Bernazzani's management team that it would be a violation of the Hatch Act if I even spoke about running."
Questioned about Bernadas' story on Friday, local FBI spokeswoman Special Agent Sheila Thorne said bureau officials "are not at liberty to discuss personnel issues."
Bernazzani told The Times-Picayune on Thursday that he has been careful to pay heed to the limits imposed by the Hatch Act. He sought legal guidance before going on television, he said.
"I'm trying to play this thing down," he said then. "I went on TV to explain the situation. I want to put it away and move on. I don't want to continue with the dialogue; I want to get past it. I've got enough work right now being the head of the FBI. I'm not ready to retire yet."
The answer is, of course, no he can't be that stupid. He wants this opportunity to leave now in case he decides to run in two years.... when I guess we'll finally see him roll out that six month plan of his.
No comments:
Post a Comment