The gag order a federal judge has placed on the parties involved in the lawsuit against the Lafayette Police Department and Lafayette Consolidated Government is still in effect.

Nine current and former Lafayette Police Officers who are suing their superiors and local government appeared in federal court today. As you recall, the officers asked for a restraining order against two of their superiors to include Police Chief Jim Craft and Lafayette Consolidated Government.

The restraining order was denied and the case was dismissed in June. Two weeks later the officers filed a federal suit still alleging corruption, racial discrimination and physical threats.

It was standing room only in the courtroom Friday as Federal Judge Patrick Hanna heard arguments on whether or not to deny a motion for a protective order. The defendants in the case argue the nine current and former officers' attorney is trying this case through the media and they fear if this does go before a jury they will not get a fair trial.

The plaintiffs' attorney Stephen Spring subpoenaed 15 witnesses to testify including Broussard Police Chief Brannon Decou and Sergeant David Anderson with State Police Troop I.

It's unclear what the two will testify about, but they were among the 15 people the plaintiffs want to hear from.

Former officers Scott Poiencot and Greg Cormier did testify Friday Both admitted to recording fellow officers and superiors without their consent but say they did not give those recordings to the media, only to their attorney.