One former public official and a current councilmen both appeared in court recently. Both have been in and out of the spotlight many times over the past year. Both were given August trial dates. Councilman Michael Petitto will stand trial August 10. Former Independence Fire Chief Raymond Alexia will face trial on August 5. Both men received their trial dates from Judge Bruce Bennett.

Petitto has been charged with two counts of alleged malfeasance in office. He was indicted by a grand jury on December 7, 2007 and pled not guilty on April 3, 2008. This indictment stemmed from an issue with land and Petitto supposedly attempting to obtain variances for lot sizes and construction tax credits. This involved Petitto's brother Salvador Petitto Sr. Apparently Petitto tried to get these variances passed through the parish council without the councils knowledge that his brother owned the land in question. Petitto has completely denied all the allegations.

The cause of the current delay in proceedings has been attributed to District Attorney Scott Perriloux and defense attorney Garrison Jordon. Judge Bennett allowed the delay because Perrilloux feels that some issues of discovery remain unresolved.

In the case against Alexia, the professed amounts have piled up. Alexia has been charged with one count of alleged theft and malfeasance in office. It has been reported that an audit provided by a state auditor provided supposed evidence of misconduct while in office.

The basis of the information stated that Alexia supposedly used $28,000 for personal use. The report also suggested that Alexia and other firefighters were "overpaid" a total of $40,000 over a four-year period.

Alexia pled innocent in an arraignment held in February after being indicted by grand jury in December of 2008. Judge Bennett scheduled July 29 for pre-trial motions in Alexia's case. Assistant District Attorney Britain Sledge is prosecuting the case while Attorney John Feduccia will defend Alexia.