New Orleans Businessman Conspired With Police Officer On Fraudulent Stolen Art Claim

Fouad Zeton, a restaurateur and former owner of a Lower Garden District mansion that has played host to a slew of New Orleans political fundraising events, is set to plead guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, court records show.

Prosecutors accuse Magnolia Mansion owner Zeton of conspiring -- with the help of a New Orleans police officer -- to file bogus insurance claims on a number of paintings he reported stolen from his Lakeview home.

He pleaded not guilty at his Dec. 28 arraignment. Court records indicate he will change his plea on April 27 before U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.

His lawyer, David Courcelle, did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment Monday.

Zeton, reached by a reporter, said: ‘I have no comment on something that is not happening.’