District attorney asked defendants for sex in exchange for leniency

In a chilling case out of Louisiana, a former district attorney has pleaded guilty to offering women more lenient sentences in exchange for sexual favors. According to federal authorities, former St. Charles Parish District Attorney Harry Morel used his position of power to "solicit sex from at least 20 women during his 33-year tenure in office," reports Talking Points Memo. "In return, he offered them help with their cases or relative cases."

For years his behavior went unaddressed, until he engaged in "inappropriate behavior" with 27-year-old Danelle Keim at her home, after she was arrested for drunk driving in 2010:

The [court] filing, which refers to Keim only as "Individual A," doesn't elaborate on the nature of Morel's behavior but says he discussed the possibility of dropping the charge against her.

Keim called 911 after Morel left her home, the document adds. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said Keim, in a trembling voice, accused Morel of sexually assaulting her after he showed up unexpectedly at her apartment to "talk about her case."

Keim ultimately agreed to record conversations with Morel for the FBI after he agreed to assist her with new theft and drunken driving charges, according to the court filing.

The FBI also videotaped a July 2012 meeting between Morel and Keim at her home. Morel brought two bottles of wine and again attempted to engage in "inappropriate behavior," the filing said.

Keim died of a drug overdose in 2013.

Morel allegedly asked for sex from a number of defendants and relatives between 2007 and 2009, promising them better treatment in exchange. (The court filing, however, does not include details on these interactions.)