Ronald ``Black'' Sevin, 68, allegedly told Lafourche Parish detectives he did not burn the building down but gave money to the investigator because he wanted the insurance to pay off the mortgage.
Sevin was arrested Monday, two days after a fire burned down the building he owned. He was charged with one count of public bribery, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said.
Authorities said a state fire marshall found the cause of the blaze suspicious, and Sevin offered the investigator $200 to change the report and make the cause ``electrical.''
The investigator declined but said he would call Sevin the following Monday.
The fire official told Lafourche Parish authorities of Sevin's offer, and detectives set up recording equipment and arranged for the investigator to meet Sevin again.
During the second meeting, Sevin allegedly told the investigator where he wanted the fire to originate in the report and then gave him an envelope with ten $100 bills.
There was no explanation for the increase in the amount of money.
Instead of driving Sevin back to where they met, Webre said the suspect was taken to the sheriff's office where he was questioned by detectives, then booked. Sevin was released on $5,000 bond.
