CHALMETTE, La. (WGNO) – A judge denied Saint Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta’s request for the grand jury testimony of his ex-wife, Sharon Schaefer, at a hearing Monday. Judge Frank Foil says since the sexual battery charges against Peralta have been dismissed, it’s not his place to make rulings on what happens with court documents, since these documents could be used in the other cases against Peralta.
Peralta’s dealing with a long list of legal problems. He’s still facing a stalking charge in Saint Tammany, filed by his ex-wife. His lawyer also told WGNO that he might have a legal battle in Baton Rouge. Then prosecutors for the sexual battery case, say they have another indictment they’re preparing for Peralta. And then Peralta’s lawyers want to file a federal civil lawsuit against the prosecution.
In that lawsuit — that they’re still preparing — they accuse Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and his fellow prosecutors of violating Peralta’s constitutional and civil rights by falsely charging him with sexual battery. The suit claims prosecutors fabricated evidence and perjured testimony against him—all in an effort to cover up for former Parish President Craig Taffaro.
The documents given to WGNO by Peralta’s lawyers allege that Taffaro and Attorney General Caldwell are friends. And in 2012, Peralta reported to Caldwell that Taffaro allegedly misused parish funds for “dinners, entertainment, women’s lingerie, an 800 dollar bicycle,” and more. Peralta’s lawyers say Caldwell and his team want to discredit him, because Peralta was trying to bring down Taffaro, and because Caldwell’s friend, Wayne Landry, wants to run against Peralta for parish president in November.
The documents claim that’s why the state charged Peralta with sexual battery. His lawyers say they can prove all this if they can get ahold of the grand jury transcripts, but after Monday’s ruling, they remain sealed. Peralta’s lawyers agreed with the judge’s decision and will re-plan out how they will get that grand jury testimony.