Charles Foti
Encyclopedia
Charles Carmen Foti, Jr. (born November 30, 1937), is a former Democratic
Attorney General
of the U.S. state
of Louisiana
, United States
. He served as his state's chief legal officer for a single term from 2004 to 2008.
Prior to becoming attorney general, Foti served for 30 years as Orleans Parish criminal sheriff
. Foti secured the attorney general's office when the incumbent Democrat Richard Ieyoub
of Lake Charles
, ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Louisiana in the 2003 primary. Foti defeated the Republican
candidate, Suzanne Haik Terrell
, also of New Orleans, 689,179 votes (54 percent) to 597,917 (46 percent).
Foti finished last in the three-way nonpartisan blanket primary on October 20, 2007, after Republican lawyer, Royal Alexander
of Shreveport
, and the Democratic District Attorney
, James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, Jr.
, of Tallulah
. Caldwell won the general election
and was sworn in to replace Foti on January 14, 2008.
.
A long-time advocate for the elderly
, during his time as criminal sheriff, Foti organized Thanksgiving meals for New Orleans senior citizens who were alone or could not afford a holiday meal. He also started a back-to-work program for seniors over the age of fifty-five. As attorney general, Foti investigated and prosecuted abuse of the elderly in Louisiana's health care facilities.
After vacating the Attorney General's office, Foti joined the New Orleans law firm Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC, where he engages in the practice of securities and consumer fraud law.
from which his office derives rental income. Foti also used his influence to promote Tulane University
and its football program. In this instance, the issue for Orleans Parish residents to consider is whether it is proper for the criminal sheriff to use public funds to promote a private institution that pays no taxes. Additionally, when Foti was elected as attorney general, whose responsibility includes writing legal opinions for the state, he again used his office to Tulane's advantage by reaffirming its questionable tax-exempt status.
Foti was also critizized for inmate abuse, such as denying routine medical care to inmates. In some cases, inmates died as a result—such as a diabetic who was denied insulin
and an inmate who was refused medical care even though he was vomiting blood. http://www.lagop.com/documents/Foti.pdf
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina
, his office's main priority was prosecuting private citizens on behalf of the elderly that died in the storm. In one case involving Dr Anna Pou, who worked at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during the storm, Foti publicly stated that Dr. Pou had murdered several patients.
In July 2007, Dr. Pou sued Foti, accusing him of playing politics with her life and the dead from Katrina.
After a lengthy investigation, a grand jury declined to indict Pou.
The charges have since been expunged, and the state of Louisiana will pay Dr. Pou's legal fees.
Several lawmakers have apologized for the accusations against Pou. The failed prosecution of Dr Pou was an issue during Foti's unsuccessful reelection campaign in 2007.
In a related story, the owners of a nursing home near Poydras
filed a civil suit against Foti and other state officials for failing to evacuate nursing home residents during the storm.
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 3, 1990
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 1994
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 5, 1994
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 1998
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 7, 1998
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 2002
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 2, 2002
Attorney General of Louisiana, 2003
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 4, 2003
Attorney General of Louisiana, 2007
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 20, 2007
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Attorney General
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He served as his state's chief legal officer for a single term from 2004 to 2008.
Prior to becoming attorney general, Foti served for 30 years as Orleans Parish criminal sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
. Foti secured the attorney general's office when the incumbent Democrat Richard Ieyoub
Richard Ieyoub
Richard Phillip Ieyoub, Sr. , is a Baton Rouge lawyer and a Democratic politician who was the attorney general of Louisiana from 1992 to 2004. Ieyoub was the Calcasieu Parish district attorney in Lake Charles from 1984 to 1992, and is presently with the Baton Rouge firm Couhig Partners...
of Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
, ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Louisiana in the 2003 primary. Foti defeated the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate, Suzanne Haik Terrell
Suzanne Haik Terrell
Suzanne Haik Terrell is a Louisiana lawyer who failed in a high-profile Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in 2002 and for state attorney general in 2003. She was the state's last commissioner of elections, having served from 2000 to 2004. In 2005, President George W...
, also of New Orleans, 689,179 votes (54 percent) to 597,917 (46 percent).
Foti finished last in the three-way nonpartisan blanket primary on October 20, 2007, after Republican lawyer, Royal Alexander
Royal Alexander
Richard Royal Alexander is an attorney from Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2007, he was the Republican-endorsed candidate for Louisiana Attorney General. A first-time candidate for public office, Alexander finished second to James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, a Democrat, in the nonpartisan blanket primary...
of Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, and the Democratic District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
, James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, Jr.
Buddy Caldwell
James David Caldwell, Sr., or Buddy Caldwell , is the Republican attorney general of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Prior to serving as attorney general, Caldwell was the district attorney for Madison, East Carroll, and Tensas parishes from 1979 to 2008...
, of Tallulah
Tallulah, Louisiana
Tallulah is a city in and the parish seat of Madison Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 9,189 at the 2000 census...
. Caldwell won the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
and was sworn in to replace Foti on January 14, 2008.
Education
- J.D.Juris DoctorJuris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, Loyola University New Orleans College of LawLoyola University New Orleans College of LawLoyola University New Orleans College of Law is a private law school in New Orleans, Louisiana affiliated with Loyola University New Orleans. Loyola's law school opened in 1914 and is now located on the Broadway Campus of the University in the historic Audubon Park District of the city. The College...
, 1965 - Bachelor's degree, University of New OrleansUniversity of New OrleansThe University of New Orleans, often referred to locally as UNO, is a medium-sized public urban university located on the New Orleans Lakefront within New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is a member of the LSU System and the Urban 13 association. Currently UNO is without a proper chancellor...
- Warren Easton High School in New Orleans
Personal
From 1955 to 1958, Foti served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
A long-time advocate for the elderly
Old age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
, during his time as criminal sheriff, Foti organized Thanksgiving meals for New Orleans senior citizens who were alone or could not afford a holiday meal. He also started a back-to-work program for seniors over the age of fifty-five. As attorney general, Foti investigated and prosecuted abuse of the elderly in Louisiana's health care facilities.
After vacating the Attorney General's office, Foti joined the New Orleans law firm Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC, where he engages in the practice of securities and consumer fraud law.
Criticism
As sheriff, Foti came under criticism for various questionable activities, including the use of inmates as a state labor force and operating a sailboat marinaMarina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
from which his office derives rental income. Foti also used his influence to promote Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
and its football program. In this instance, the issue for Orleans Parish residents to consider is whether it is proper for the criminal sheriff to use public funds to promote a private institution that pays no taxes. Additionally, when Foti was elected as attorney general, whose responsibility includes writing legal opinions for the state, he again used his office to Tulane's advantage by reaffirming its questionable tax-exempt status.
Foti was also critizized for inmate abuse, such as denying routine medical care to inmates. In some cases, inmates died as a result—such as a diabetic who was denied insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
and an inmate who was refused medical care even though he was vomiting blood. http://www.lagop.com/documents/Foti.pdf
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, his office's main priority was prosecuting private citizens on behalf of the elderly that died in the storm. In one case involving Dr Anna Pou, who worked at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during the storm, Foti publicly stated that Dr. Pou had murdered several patients.
In July 2007, Dr. Pou sued Foti, accusing him of playing politics with her life and the dead from Katrina.
After a lengthy investigation, a grand jury declined to indict Pou.
The charges have since been expunged, and the state of Louisiana will pay Dr. Pou's legal fees.
Several lawmakers have apologized for the accusations against Pou. The failed prosecution of Dr Pou was an issue during Foti's unsuccessful reelection campaign in 2007.
In a related story, the owners of a nursing home near Poydras
Poydras, Louisiana
Poydras is a census-designated place in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,886 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area...
filed a civil suit against Foti and other state officials for failing to evacuate nursing home residents during the storm.
Electoral history
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 1990Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 3, 1990
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | needs more research | Elected |
| Henry Julien, Jr. | Democratic | needs more research | Defeated |
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 1994
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 5, 1994
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | Unopposed | Elected |
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 1998
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 7, 1998
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | Unopposed | Elected |
Criminal Sheriff, Parish of Orleans, 2002
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 2, 2002
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | 90,897 (71%) | Elected |
| Morris Reed | Democratic | 27,378 (22%) | Defeated |
| Orlando Matthews | Democratic | 9,014 (7%) | Defeated |
Attorney General of Louisiana, 2003
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 4, 2003
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | 689,179 (54%) | Elected |
| Suzanne Haik Terrell Suzanne Haik Terrell Suzanne Haik Terrell is a Louisiana lawyer who failed in a high-profile Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in 2002 and for state attorney general in 2003. She was the state's last commissioner of elections, having served from 2000 to 2004. In 2005, President George W... |
Republican | 597,917 (46%) | Defeated |
Attorney General of Louisiana, 2007
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, October 20, 2007
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| James "Buddy" Caldwell | Democratic | 434,111 (36%) | Runoff |
| Royal Alexander Royal Alexander Richard Royal Alexander is an attorney from Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2007, he was the Republican-endorsed candidate for Louisiana Attorney General. A first-time candidate for public office, Alexander finished second to James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, a Democrat, in the nonpartisan blanket primary... |
Republican | 395,649 (32%) | Runoff |
| Charles Foti | Democratic | 389,568 (32%) | Defeated |