Don Beckner: He Changed the Climate of Baton Rouge Politics

By John Maginnis

Without ever having been elected to local or state office, Don Beckner has been responsible for the most important and perhaps lasting changes in the business of politics of this area.

Because of the long list of impressive results achieved during his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Don Beckner has been chosen the Enterprise's Baton Rougean of the Year.

The decision was made by a selection committee of the Enterprise's Board of Consultants from nominations received from Enterprise readers. This is the second year the award has been made. The first year's winner was oilman and philanthropist C.B. Pennington Jr.

Beckner, 40, capped off an impressive list of accomplishments in the U.S. Attorney's office during his four year tenure that ended last August (see sidebar). Besides gaining the convictions of State Sen. Gaston Gerald and former Commissioner of Agriculture Gil Dozier, Beckner's office brought indictments in the Department of Education kickback case which is now being heard in federal court and in the six-year-old Jim Leslie murder case, which goes to trial in May.

A New Climate

Civic leaders credit Beckner with helping to create an environment for good government by his zealous prosecution of political corruption cases, especially in the area of election campaigning and fundraising.

"Don Beckner distinguished himself as a public servant and Baton Rouge is better because of his efforts," said Joe Traigle, president and chief executive officer of American Bank and a past president of the Chamber of Commerce during Beckner's term.

Beckner gained the respect of those who worked with him, for his aggressive role in leading the U.S. Attorney's office. According to Mike Lansden, who left the U.S. Attorney's office shortly after Beckner but who will still try the government's case in the Jim Leslie, Rusty Griffith murders, "Don brought something to the Middle District that has been nestled here. He brought the U.S. Attorney's office out of the closet. He took it from being a not a very important factor to the forefront so that it had some impact." Lansden credits the high profile of the office with encouraging people with information of wrongdoing to come forward to report it.

These positive views of Beckner's record are not shared by others in political and legal circles. In the wake of his actions, Beckner has been criticized for his confrontations with local political officials and for leaking details on his investigation of the press.

Beckner raised the ire of five local judges by asking them to testify about the black political support they received in the 1978 election. The five at first refused to appear before the federal grand jury, but later agreed to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney. The same investigation was labeled as anti-black by black political leaders who believed Beckner was clamping down on accepted campaigning practices in the black community.

Beckner believes the vote-buying and other investigations have significantly changed the business of politics in East Baton Rouge Parish. "Some things will never be the same again. Elections are being handled more openly and people are being more careful about reporting and receiving contributions. Businessmen are more aware they don't have to do favors to do business with the government and the attitude of the publicist that they can expect more from officeholders.

"The elections last year (city-parish council and school board) were significant in that some excellent people were elected. It showed the public is more aware and is going to elect better people to office. Good government can't operate without good people. I hope that my trying to correct abuses has caused others to come forward and try the same thing."

Beckner and the Press

Beckner's confrontation with the five judges and his subsequent showdown with District Attorney Ossie Brown over who would take the lead in investigating the Jim Leslie murder indicate Beckner's savvy outside the courtroom. His interactions with the press in those cases as in others have led local lawyers to accuse Beckner of leaking details of investigations to the press, thereby trying defendants in public.

Beckner defends his statements to the press as what was necessary to inform the public and to define the limits of his investigations. "The press in this area really covers the courts and the prosecutors. If you decline to make a statement, the rumors start flying about whom your investigation involves, I can't remember a case involving a state official when I have not been asked, 'When are you going to indict the governor?' or when was I going to call him before the grand jury. Sometimes it does others more harm than good for me to say no comment. You can't ignore the press, if you don't talk to them: you give readers the idea that something is amiss."

Through it all, Beckner developed a thick skin and a philosophical attitude about the waves of controversy he caused. "The only way I could have not made enemies in this job was to have done nothing."

Looking for the Good

Though not without is sacrifices, Beckner believes he gained much from his four-year stint as US Attorney. "Because of this job I've become a better lawyer, I've grown tremendously both morally and spiritually. I understand people better and I thought I knew them well four years ago."

Though some believe Beckner was also trying to build a platform from which to run for elected office, Beckner emphatically says he has no intention to run for any political office in the future.

Not being the attorney for the government gives Beckner a refreshing change of outlook. "I find I can be more interested in other people - I can look more for the good in them now. As a prosecutor I had to deal so much with the bad in people that it is a vacation now to be able to look for the good."

Beckner intends to continue building his private practice, concentrating on business cases and trial work in federal court. His wife Paulette gave birth to their first child, Kristin, last year. Beckner has a 13-year-old son, Glynn, by his former marriage.

Beckner's Record

The U.S. Attorney's Office racked up an impressive list of accomplishments during Don Beckner's four-year term. The highlights of that term are:

The trial and conviction of Teamster boss Edward Grady Partin for obstruction of justice. Partin is serving an eight-year sentence in a federal penitentiary.

The conviction of Lee Wesley and Kent Smith for conspiracy to defraud the government and misapplication of federal funds in the Community Advancement, Inc. scandal

The racketeering conviction of William Thatcher and Robert Grapp, executives of Honeywell Information Systems, in a $6.6 million scheme to defraud the state in connection with the lease of computer equipment.

The conviction of State Sen. Gaston Gerald for attempting to extort $25,000 from a local contractor in return for favorable votes before the city-parish council. Gerald is serving a five-year sentence in a federal penitentiary and was expelled from the state senate.

The conviction of Henry Holden, business manager for Pipefitters Local 198 for obstruction of justice in attempting to influence the federal grand jury during the investigation of State Sen. Gerald. Holden is serving a two-year federal prison sentence.

The conviction of Commissioner of Agriculture Gil Dozier for running that state office through a pattern of racketeering including bribery, extortion and attempted extortion from persons and companies doing business with the Department of Agriculture. Dozier was sentenced to two five-year prison terms. It is the sole conviction in the U.S. of a statewide public official on racketeering charges. The conviction is on appeal.

The conviction of City Councilman Gordon Curry Jr. on mail fraud charges in connection with his personal appropriation of over $15,000 in funds paid by candidates to P.E.O.P.L.E., Inc. The conviction is on appeal.

The conviction of Bill Dutnin, president of Local 1833, International Longshoremen's Association, of embezzlement of union funds. Dutnin is serving his sentence.

The conviction of four persons involved in a large bookmaking and gambling operation in the Middle District.

The conviction of Joseph Modicut, Jr. in a national coupon fraud scheme netting over a half million dollars a year. Modicut is serving a three-year sentence.

The conviction of three persons, including a local bank officer, in a scheme to grant funds in exchange for kickbacks.

The conviction of William Nelson Coxe, the president of Livingston Savings and Loan, of federal banking violations. Coxe is serving his sentence.

The conviction of Felix Do Holo and Craig Nelson for conspiracy and theft in the theft of two barges of soybeans valued at $1.25 million, amounting in the largest theft in one taking in the U.S. of goods destined for interstate commerce.

The conviction of Julio Johnson, local attorney, on a 13-count indictment charging mail fraud and making false declarations in a scheme to defraud two title insurance companies and eight financial institutions.

The completion of the investigation into the 1976 contract murders of Jim Leslie and Rusty Griffith. Five have been indicted in the murders. The trial begins May 11.

The first phase of the investigation into the Louisiana Department of Education. Two Department officials and one businessman are currently on trial for receiving a $360,000 kickback in return for a state contract.