The son of the state Supreme Court’s former chief justice was accused Wednesday of selling a 14-year-old girl as a prostitute and, at times, paying to have sex with her himself.
Federal prosecutors charged Pascal Calogero III, 59, of Metairie, with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Calogero was charged in a bill of information, which generally indicates a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors.
Calogero is the son of Pascal Calogero Jr., who served nearly 36 years on the state’s highest court, including 18 years as chief justice from 1990 until 2008.
According to the bill of information, Pascal Calogero III worked with another person, identified only as “J.B.,” to traffic the Metairie girl between May and June 2017.
The bill of information also alleges that in addition to driving the teen victim to and from appointments “J.B.” set up, Calogero paid “J.B.” no less than $120 for prostitution dates with her on three separate occasions last May.
Prosecutors also allege that Calogero used his home as the location for at least one prostitution date between the victim and an adult man after Calogero sent sexually explicit pictures of her and negotiated a price.
If convicted, Calogero faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
His arraignment was set for Oct. 10 at 2 p.m., according to court documents.
Calogero is represented by defense attorney Billy Gibbens. Late Wednesday night, Gibbens declined to comment.
The New Orleans Advocate reported that as of August, Calogero was employed by the city of New Orleans as a lead programmer analyst for the Information Technology department, according to public records. He was hired in 1993 and was making $77,000 annually, according to the records.
City officials didn't immediately comment on Calogero's current employment status. He has civil service protection, which can make it difficult for the city to quickly dismiss employees.
State records show Calogero was also recently associated with a business offering tips to gamblers betting on thoroughbred horse races.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Advocate reporter Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed to this report.