Parker's DWI arrest surfaces amid investigation
by Richard Rainey - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

After celebrating parades and the Oscars around St. Patrick's Day 2003, Jefferson Parish Council Chairman Aaron Broussard's secretary crashed her Toyota into the back of another vehicle in Harahan and was charged with reckless driving and driving while intoxicated. It was a politically sensitive case because Karen Parker not only worked for Broussard, but they also were dating at the time. And the DWI prosecution supervisor for District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. was Broussard's daughter-in-law, Norma Broussard. Norma Broussard recused herself from handling the case, however, First Assistant District Attorney Steve Wimberly said this week. And eventually, prosecutor Pete Matthews, with Wimberly's approval, reduced the DWI charge to reckless driving and threw out the other count, district attorney records show. Parker, who pleaded guilty to the lesser offense, was fined $100 and charged $267 in court costs. Wimberly said he knew at the time that Parker was working for Broussard but wasn't sure whether he knew they had a relationship outside the office.