Four Felons Get Christmas Present

Just in time for Christmas, judgment day was postponed for four New Orleanians convicted in noteworthy public corruption cases, guaranteeing each one at least three more months of freedom.

Former Orleans Parish School Board President Ellenese Brooks-Simms, restaurateur Stan "Pampy" Barré, businessman Reginald Walker and former Johnson Controls project manager Terry Songy all were scheduled to be sentenced the second week of January.

Now, at the request of prosecutors, none will face the music until April.

The postponement is an indication that federal investigators still are probing leads provided by members of the group, all of whom pleaded guilty to felonies and signed plea agreements requiring them to cooperate with the government.