More customers: AppOne, a Baton Rouge company that serves as a bridge between lenders and vehicle dealers, has signed an agreement with Grow Financial Federal Credit Union. Grow Financial is a Tampa, Fla., credit union with 18 branches and $1.6 billion in assets. Grow Financial says it has more than 159,000 members, making it one of the largest credit unions in the country. AppOne will help the company expand its indirect lending to more independent auto dealers.
Defensive coordinator to meet with team Wednesday: Gregg Williams, the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, is set to interview with the Denver Broncos this week about the team’s opening for a head coach. The Times-Picayune says the Broncos faxed an interview request form to the Saints after New Orleans was knocked out of the playoffs. John Elway, a Broncos executive, says the team will meet with Williams on Wednesday. Williams has been with the Saints for two years; his first season with the team they won the Super Bowl. He was head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2001 to 2003.
Former House majority leader sentenced: A judge today ordered U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to serve three years in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002. The sentence comes after a jury in November convicted DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. DeLay was once one of the most powerful men in U.S. politics, ascending to the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives. Senior Judge Pat Priest sentenced him to the three-year term on the conspiracy charge. He also sentenced DeLay to five years in prison on the money laundering charge but allowed him to accept 10 years of probation instead of more prison time. The former Houston-area congressman had faced up to life in prison. His attorneys had asked for probation. Priest issued his ruling after a brief sentencing hearing today in which former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert testified on DeLay’s behalf.
