Former Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson was unable to enter a plea at her arraignment Friday, because the judge recused himself.
The Hon. Leon Roche cited last year's dispute between the criminal court bench and the sheriff's office over inmate transfers.
The case will have to be realloted to another court, but if the other judges also believe they must recuse, the Louisiana Supreme Court would appoint an outside judge.
A special state grand jury indicted Hutson and the sheriff's office Chief Financial Officer, Bianka Brown, last month on multiple counts of malfeasance and payroll fraud.
Hutson lost her bid for reelection to former Interim New Orleans Police Chief Michelle Woodfork.
Woodwork took office earlier this month, officially ending Hutson's four-year term as New Orleans' sheriff.
