By james art Jimmy Berland, a veteran attorney and lobbyist in Baton Rouge, was charged Friday with possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Between November 2022 and April 2023, Berland knowingly possessed pornographic images of children under the age of 12, according to the information, which is separate from the grand jury indictment.
An information usually means that the accused has agreed to plead guilty and is cooperating with the government.
The Times-Picayune | The Advocate reported in April that federal authorities had just raided Berland’s office, a stone’s throw from the Capitol. Burland, who is often in attendance during the annual legislative session, was not seen there this year.
While lobbying for a small group of clients, Burland is best known in political circles for helping candidates set up campaign finance accounts and ensuring they accurately record contribution and spending information.
It mostly helped the Republicans.
Berland also plays guitar and writes songs, and his web page dedicated to his music highlights a song of his called “Perspectives in a Coffee Shop.”
The website describes him as a Nashville recording artist who played rhythm guitar in a Houston garage band at age 12 and played solo acoustic music at LSU.
Burland was investigated by the US Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Pugliese is prosecuting the case.