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Court Upholds Former Governor Edward's Conviction

"Edwards, 74, was convicted May 9, 2000, in what prosecutors said was a scheme to benefit from the awarding of lucrative riverboat casino licenses. The scheme began during his fourth and final term and continued after he left office in 1996.

"…In upholding their convictions in the riverboat case, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected arguments that U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola was so desperate to avoid a mistrial that he threw the lone holdout for acquittal off the jury during deliberations.

"Also rejected were arguments that the wiretaps and electronic bugs used to gather evidence in the case were illegal and that Polozola should not have kept the identities of jurors secret.

"Edwards was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He has been allowed to remain free during appeals.

"…Edwards served four terms as governor between 1972 and 1996 and built a reputation as a deft politician who helped modernize state government and reconfigure the tax structure to take advantage of the state's oil riches. But government sometimes seemed a sideshow to his high living -- he was an unabashed gambler and ladies man -- and his battles with federal prosecutors…"

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