Edwin W. Edwards, the former governor of Louisiana who was recently released from prison, will be coming to the Columbia Theatre in Hammond for a cocktail reception, book signing and lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Edwards was the governor of Louisiana for four terms: 1972-1980, 1984-1988 and 1992-1996.
He was well known during his first two terms because he was able to expand the state’s oil tax revenue by changing the tax from a flat rate to a percentage tax of the price per barrel. Edwards used this large increase in state revenue to fund health and human service programs and increase funds for higher education in Louisiana.
According to an article by The Associated Press, Edwards was under two dozen investigations during his 16 years in office, but he was not convicted of any charges until he was charged with rigging riverboat casino licenses during his fourth term as governor.
In 2001, years after his fourth term in office had ended, Edwards was convicted on 17 of 26 criminal charges: including racketeering, extortion, money laundering and mail fraud, resulting in his 10-year prison sentence. He began his sentence in October 2002 and was released from Oakdale Federal Penitentiary, later living in a halfway house for six months starting in January 2011. Edwards officially finished serving his sentence in July 6, 2011.
According to the Columbia Theatre, Edwards will be coming to Hammond to give a lecture at the Columbia Theatre on Nov. 2. There will be a cocktail reception and book signing at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will follow at 7:45 p.m. Edwards will be speaking about his time in prison and his new biography by Leo Honeycutt, as well as his accomplishments during his terms in office, focusing on education and various pieces of legislation.
“I think it’d be interesting to hear what Edwin Edwards has to say after being incarcerated for 10 years,” said Lindsay Chartin, a sophomore majoring in public relations. “As far as him running for governor again, he’s 84 and he’s getting older. Originally I respected him until the corruption came into play. Now, not so much.”
There is currently a growing campaign on Facebook for fans of Edwards to ask Obama to pardon him. If Edwards were to receive a pardon, he could choose to run for governor again.
“I prefer to live in a state where the governor is not a convicted felon,” said Cheryl Settoon, a communications professor.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Columbia Theatre box office for $35. Tickets for the reception, book signing and lecture can be purchased for $50 at the box office or by calling 985-543-4371. For more information, visit www.columbiatheatre.org.