Evergreen Reporter

The United States Attorney's Office announced today that Randy A. Farrell, Sr., age 61, a resident of Metairie, and his company, IECI & Associates LLC ("IECI"), were charged in a twenty-five count indictment with conspiracy, wire fraud, and honest services fraud. The charges are related to Farrell's acceptance of bribes to allow unlicensed electricians to obtain fraudulent permits and home inspections on their unlicensed work. Farrell also allegedly attempted to obstruct investigations into his scheme by offering gifts to public officials.

According to the indictment, Farrell used his position as a third-party inspector at IECI to run a years-long scheme where he accepted bribes from unlicensed electricians. These electricians worked on hundreds of New Orleans homes using licensed electricians' names and permits. Farrell and IECI then fraudulently approved the inspections of this unlicensed work. Additionally, Farrell is accused of conspiring with others to offer bribes to public officials in an effort to hinder the investigation into his activities, including attempting to have a City of New Orleans employee fired.

Farrell and IECI face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1349; twenty counts of wire fraud for specific fraudulent permits and inspections under 18 U.S.C. § 1343; and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud regarding Farrell's acceptance and offering of bribes under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, and 1349. Additionally, Farrell faces three counts of honest services fraud in connection with specific bribes he accepted and paid under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1346.

For each count, Farrell faces up to twenty years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. Both Farrell and IECI could also be fined up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the crime per person affected by it, along with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

An indictment is merely an accusation; guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its role in investigating this matter. It also expressed gratitude for support from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the City of New Orleans Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses from the Financial Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.