New Orleans City Council fills Johnson's seat

The New Orleans City Council has appointed attorney Ernest "Freddie" Charbonnet as the interim replacement for the District E seat vacated last week when Jon Johnson abruptly resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.

Charbonnet is a former assistant city attorney now in private practice. The Times-Picayune reports that he received votes from the council's four white members Thursday. Its two black members voted against the appointment.

The new member could serve for up to five months until a special election is held Nov. 6. The elected candidate would then serve the rest of Johnson's term, which expires in May 2014.