WGNO

‘Other Bad Acts’ filing: Main discussion at Dave Peralta’s sexual battery case hearing

CHALMETTE, La. (WGNO) – Embattled Saint Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta was in court again Wednesday for his sexual battery case involving his ex-wife, Sharon Schaefer.

The hearing mainly focused on a court document the state filed last week, called “Other Bad Acts”.

The document accused Peralta of misusing government funds, a gambling addiction and further detailed unusual sexual activity.

First the judge addressed a motion to intervene, filed by a lawyer with the Times-Picayune, in reaction to Peralta’s lawyers filing a motion for court materials to be sealed and not available to the public.

Judge Frank Foil ruled in favor of the newspaper and did not grant that motion for Peralta’s lawyers.

Then Peralta’s lawyers argued that the state’s recent “Other Bad Acts” filing, circumvented a gag order put into place earlier and was “defamatory” and “character assassination”.

Lawyers for the state said the defense wanted to see all their evidence, and that’s what they have.

The judge asked why the comments in the “Other Bad Acts” filing included financial misuse and gambling accusations. The state’s lawyers responded that it just further proved a “pattern of bad behavior” and Peralta was an “aggressor”.

Judge Foil denied Peralta’s lawyers request for a hearing to address the credibility of the “Other Bad Acts” filing.

After, Assistant Attorney General David Weilbacher reminded the courtroom that there will be an indictment coming soon that will supersede the current sexual battery case.

Judge Foil said that’s fine, but they will proceed until that indictment comes. He also reiterated that all pleadings now are not under seal and will go into public record.

A final hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.

The Assistant Attorney General also briefly brought up the stalking charge Dave Peralta’s  ex-wife has brought against him in Saint Tammany Parish, which may be discussed next week.

The trial is set to begin in April.