Beyond the raft of questionable credit card expenses, Bridger spent more than $3 million in public money to buy three antique Pullman railcars -- sometimes loaning them out to friends for boozy catered events -- and a fleet of luxury SUVs for the Public Belt. He also signed off on nearly $2 million in apparently unlawful employee bonuses and charitable gifts, a 2010 report by the legislative auditor found.

Former Public Belt Railroad general manager accused of thousands of dollars in graft

The former general manager of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad faces 18 felony counts for allegedly thieving from the agency over more than three years, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro announced Wednesday.

Cannizzaro said the charges reflect nine separate instances in which Jim Bridger took public property for his personal benefit, beginning in July 2007. The DA refused to describe the allegations against Bridger in any detail, but he said each involved thousands of dollars in graft.

Based on the dates of the alleged thefts, along with allegations in a report last year by the state legislative auditor, at least five of the counts appear to relate to Bridger's personal use of luxury railcars owned by the agency. Bridger, who resigned under pressure in September, often loaned out the railcars to friends for catered events replete with booze, the audit found.