During a hearing before a federal judge in New Orleans today, defense attorneys offered testimony designed to derail the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption by executives of the River Birch landfill.   Attorney Arthur "Buddy" Lemann argued that prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneys office have made a mockery of the justice system.  Lemann was referring to on-line postings made under anonymous names by former prosecutor Sal Perricone and allegin similar comments were made by former First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jan Mann.

With River Birch financial officer Dominick Fazzio and his brother in law already indicted in the case, Lehmann contends that the postings amount to flagrant prosectorial misconducted and that the charges should be dropped.

River Birch owner Fred Heebe has been investigated but at this time not charged.  There's no indication on when Judge Ginger Berrigan will issue a ruling.