Eddie Jordan (attorney) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddie Jordan
Jordan (right) with David Vitter (left) in 2003
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana
In office 1994–2001
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Robert J. Boitmann
Succeeded by	Jim Letten
District Attorney of Orleans Parish
In office 2003–2007
Preceded by	Harry Connick Sr.
Succeeded by	Keva Landrum-Johnson (Acting)
Constituency	New Orleans, Louisiana
Personal details
Born	(1952-10-06) October 6, 1952 (age 72)
Education	Wesleyan University (BA) Rutgers University (JD)

Eddie Jack Jordan Jr. (born October 6, 1952) is an American lawyer. He served as the top prosecutor, called the district attorney, for Orleans Parish in Louisiana. This was from 2003 until he resigned in 2007.

Jordan is a member of the Democratic Party. He was the first African American to hold this elected position. He stepped down from his role on October 30, 2007. This happened after a court ruled against his office. The ruling was about a case where white employees said they were unfairly dismissed because of their race.

About Eddie Jordan's Life and Career

Eddie Jordan Jr. was born on October 6, 1952. He grew up in the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood of New Orleans. This area is in the Ninth Ward.

His Education and Early Law Career

Jordan graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1974. He then received a scholarship to Rutgers University School of Law in New Jersey. He finished law school in 1977.

After becoming a lawyer, he worked in Pennsylvania for about four years. In 1981, Jordan returned to Louisiana. He taught law at Southern University in Baton Rouge. He became a lawyer in Louisiana the next year.

Working as a U.S. Attorney

In 1984, Jordan moved back to New Orleans. He became an assistant U.S. attorney. He worked under U.S. Attorney John Volz.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton named Jordan the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. As U.S. Attorney, he oversaw the legal case against Governor Edwin Washington Edwards. This case led to Edwards being sent to prison. Jordan became well-known on television. He was recognized by his moustache and derby hat.

In 2001, Jordan left his role as U.S. Attorney. He started working in private law practice.

Becoming District Attorney

On November 5, 2002, Jordan was elected district attorney. He took over from Harry Connick Sr.. Jordan won against Dale Atkins. He received 52 percent of the votes.

Jordan took office in 2003.

Challenges and Resignation

After taking office, a jury found that Jordan had broken employment laws. This was because he had fired many white employees. Most of these employees were replaced with black workers.

The city of New Orleans faced a challenge. It had to find a way to pay the legal costs from this case. The mayor, C. Ray Nagin, said the city could not pay the judgment.

On March 30, 2005, a federal jury found Jordan responsible for racial discrimination. This was for firing 43 white employees right after he became district attorney. The Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office had to pay $2.4 million to the people who sued. Jordan lost an appeal of this case.

Jordan also faced criticism for his work as district attorney. In 2003 and 2004, the conviction rate for murder cases was low. It was only 12 percent, much lower than the national average of 80 percent. His office's overall prosecution rate was only 7 percent.

Protesters calling for Jordan's resignation in July 2007

Jordan also faced criticism for releasing suspects in serious cases. In July 2007, he released Michael Anderson. Anderson was a suspect in the murders of five teenagers. Jordan's office said they could not find a key witness. However, the police later presented the witness.

Many people in New Orleans were concerned about the low conviction rates. They wanted Jordan to resign. On July 12, 2007, City Council member Shelley Midura publicly asked him to step down.

As pressure grew, Jordan resigned as District Attorney. Keva Landrum-Johnson took over as acting district attorney.

In 2005, Eddie Jordan was honored. He was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.