2017-11-03 07:00:00
Before leaving, Sallet sat down with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on Oct. 25 to talk regarding Louisiana’s legacy of public corruption and violent crime, the case that keeps him up at night and his favorite lunch spot.
How much public corruption is there in New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana, compared to other cities you’ve worked in?
I had the unique opportunity to work in the area of corruption for the four New England states of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. I have had the perspective of being the national head of corruption and civil rights, and I would say that the corruption in this state is at an extremely unacceptable level.
The citizens of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana must expect and demand honest government. Last time I checked, the government works for the citizens, the citizens don’t work for the government.
We have two corruption squads in the city of New Orleans. There are field offices five times our size that don’t have it. We are very committed to eradicating it, but it is going to take a sustained effort. It’s going to take commitment from the people of this state, not just the people who work for our office, not to tolerate this.
please note: There are a total of 56 FBI field offices nationwide. The FBI New Orleans office covers the entire state of Louisiana. The New Orleans division consists of regarding 400 employees, including FBI agents, task force officers employed by local agencies, clerical workers and other employees.
Have you learned anything in the past two years to explain Louisiana’s history of public corruption?
The way the system was set up, there has been neglect over the years. The expectations of the people who do some of these jobs are, ‘Hey, I’m in an office, and I’m going to take what I can get.’ And the people around them are often afraid to confront it.
It’s not much different from the fear I’ve seen in organized crime in New York, where people don’t want to take on mob guys. People often do not want to give up corrupt government officials because they are afraid of the consequences. Will they lose the bid? Will they lose their jobs?
How do you address it? It’s going to take a huge cultural shift.
Is public corruption getting better or worse in Louisiana?
It can’t get much worse. I think the messages from this office definitely resonate. I think people are nervous if nothing else. They shouldn’t be any less nervous because I’m going. There are great people here doing the work, and they did the work before I got here and will do it following I leave. If people – and the people know who they are – think that because I’m leaving, these ongoing cases will suddenly stop, it’s not happening.
Are there investigations focused on New Orleans politicians that might bear fruit in the next few years?
I cannot speak regarding open and active corruption cases. What I can tell you is, just because you don’t hear something, doesn’t mean something big isn’t coming.
Is New Orleans’ violent crime problem better or worse than other cities of our size?
At one point this year, there was a shooting every 10 hours in the city of New Orleans. And the homicide rate, at one time, was double that of Chicago, per capita. So the level of violence is absolutely unacceptable, whether you compare it to other cities or not.
Have you learned anything in the past two years to help explain our violent crime problem?
You can’t police your way out of this. Part of this is going to be socio-economic: to make sure there are opportunities for people so that they get a job, an education and social services. Make sure you have enough police officers. NOPD is doing the best they can, but they don’t have a cadre of police officers.
Community policing does not have a community policing unit. Community policing is having police officers who are out there, standing on street corners every day, and officers who know the people in the neighborhood. If you don’t have enough people to do that, it’s very difficult for you to get to know your neighborhood.
Is there any particular instance that scared you while working in Louisiana?
When three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge in July 2016, that’s something that really stuck in my head. The police are the difference between sanity and chaos. For someone to just randomly shoot people for being police officers was such an absolute tragedy. It is something that has definitely kept me up at night and will continue to keep me up at night.
When you took over in 2015, what were the top priorities in New Orleans?
The top priorities, which came as no surprise to me, were violent crime and gangs, public corruption and civil rights. Violent crime and the gang violence epidemic is something the FBI has focused on from coast to coast.
Have those priorities changed, and why?
Priorities remained the same. An additional priority was to enhance an already strong crisis management and crisis event program. New Orleans hosts the Sugar Bowl, Mardi Gras, other major events — all things that represent potential mass violence threats. We have learned lessons from all the mass casualties that have occurred locally and internationally and are used to better preparation.
What advice did you give your replacement, Eric J. Rommal?
Listen, learn and become part of the community. Embrace the city, embrace the people, embrace the leadership. The best thing I can say regarding the success of my model, if people want to call it successful, is to just lean forward, be present and be part of the community.
Anything you can tell us regarding picking the next US attorney?
The hope is that — whoever that person may be — that they’re a cooperative, no-nonsense person who’s going to be as dedicated as the previous US attorneys Kenneth Polite and Jim Letten and all the people who held that position. I have the utmost confidence in the president to make that choice.
Is Orleans Parish District Attorney Cannizzaro on the Short List?
I have no idea.
Lagniappe: What is your favorite New Orleans restaurant?
I just went to Emeril’s for lunch. My favorite restaurant? I like GW Fins. My favorite place would be the St. Be Roch market, this is our lunchtime haunt. I love the passion people have for the city. It reminds me a lot of home, which is Boston. I like the sense of community. Not only are people passionate and proud of their city, but they are welcoming.
Is there anything you wish you might have accomplished before you left?
My only regret is that I wish I had another year in New Orleans — I just love being here. But I’m really looking forward to Chicago because it’s a new opportunity and a great city. I am very pleased that we have good people here to defend people’s rights and protect the state of Louisiana.
Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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