NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Latest on the sentencing of New Orleans lawyer in a fraud case involving the Louisiana tax credit program that helped build the state’s film industry (all times local):
2:55 p.m.
A New Orleans attorney has been spared prison for his role in a fraud case involving the tax credit program credited with turning Louisiana into “Hollywood South.”
A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced Michael Arata to probation and a $15,000 fine.
Arata was one of three people convicted in a scheme to get state tax credits for a project that turned a dilapidated mansion into a production facility. The defense is appealing the guilty verdict and notes that the project was successful.
In granting probation rather than prison, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said there is some question as to whether the state was victimized by Arata. He also noted numerous written testimonials praising Arata’s character.
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6 a.m.
A New Orleans attorney is close to learning his sentence for crimes involving the generous tax credit program credited with turning Louisiana into “Hollywood South.”
A Wednesday afternoon sentencing hearing was set in the case of Michael Arata.
Arata was one of three people convicted last April in what prosecutors said was a scheme to get state tax credits for a project that turned a dilapidated mansion into a production facility.
Authorities said the three used fraudulent documents to obtain more than $1 million in tax credits for work that was not actually done.
In December, a federal judge refused to grant a new trial in the case, although he did throw out 11 of the 13 counts on which Arata was convicted. Arata remains convicted of conspiracy and fraud.
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