Ex-Jefferson Parish attorney faces reduced charge

Federal prosecutors have filed a reduced charge against former Jefferson Parish attorney Thomas Wilkinson in a corruption case that also has resulted in charges against former parish president Aaron Broussard.

Wilkinson faced more serious charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, before a court filing Wednesday replaced them with a new charge of conspiracy to commit misprision of a felony.

The new charge is contained in a bill of information, which typically signals a plea deal has been reached. Wilkinson's attorney didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Broussard is scheduled to be tried in November on charges he accepted bribes to steer parish work to the owner of a telecommunications equipment and services company. Broussard also is charged with conspiring to fraudulently award a lucrative parish job to his ex-wife.