By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-890387.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Federal investigators say officers planned to use the confusion immediately after Katrina to cover up the shootings on a bridge that left two people dead and four severely injured. Police had maintained that they were shot at by civilians, but no gun was found. The federal case alleges officers planted a gun and made up witnesses whose disappearance could later be blamed on Katrina evacuations. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten of the New Orleans office said the case is much more than officials dropping the ball during a crisis.
"We're not pursuing criminally legitimate mistakes. We're pursuing a criminal cover-up and other criminal activity. Big difference." 0:06
Letten said the investigation continues, and will target any official who knew of the conspiracy and did nothing.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans