Insurance Case Leads to $8K Ethics Fine for Former Louisiana Senator

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is seeking an $8,000 civil penalty against former state Sen. Derrick Shepherd for failing to disclose his legal work for convicted bond broker Gwendolyn Moyo in her dealings with the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Shepherd, of Marrero, is to appear May 22 for a public hearing in Baton Rouge before a three-judge administrative law panel that will decide whether he violated state ethics law.

Shepherd resigned his office and pleaded guilty in a separate federal case last year when he admitted helping Moyo launder more than $140,000 in illegal proceeds. His sentencing is set for May 27.

Moyo, who was convicted on multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, is set for sentencing April 15.

Calls to Shepherd’s attorney were not returned.

The ethics board has been pursuing charges against Shepherd since July.

Information from: The Times-Picayune, www.nola.com