Rita LeBlanc, the 48-year-old granddaughter of the late Tom Benson, former owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, was arrested on Monday in Charleston, South Carolina. LeBlanc, who was once considered the heir to her grandfather’s sports empire, faces a charge of interference/hindering officers following an incident involving a parking enforcement officer.
Incident Details
According to Charleston County jail records, the arrest occurred at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Earlier in the afternoon, around 2:45 p.m., Charleston Police responded to a report at the intersection of Meeting Street and Water Street. A parking enforcement officer had reportedly been pushed by a suspect while attempting to apply a boot to a vehicle. Upon investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Rita LeBlanc.
The police claim that LeBlanc took the parking officer’s boot-locking tool during the incident. She was quickly apprehended at the scene and booked on a charge of interference or hindering officers. LeBlanc was later released on a personal recognizance bond, meaning she did not need to pay bail to be released. Her scheduled court date is set for July 24, where she will face the charge.
Family Background and Previous Roles
LeBlanc has a notable family background, being the granddaughter of Tom Benson, the former owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. In the past, she held significant roles as the vice chairman for both organizations and was initially seen as her grandfather’s potential successor. However, following a public family dispute, Benson made the surprising decision to appoint his wife, Gayle Benson, to inherit control of the teams shortly before his death in 2018.
Rita LeBlanc’s recent arrest in Charleston has drawn attention due to her high-profile family connections and past involvement with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. As the legal process moves forward, the public will be watching her upcoming court date in July for further developments in the case.
