Nation: The Gourmet Pirate

Lafitte snobs abound in New Orleans, the nominal descendants of Jean and Pierre Lafitte, the famed 19th century pirates.* Last week the exploits of a new Jean Lafitte enlivened the New Orleans scene. The legend flowered anew when FBI agents walked into the kitchen of the city's posh Plimsoll Club, collared its manager-chef, Jean Pierre Lafitte, and charged him with a $350,000 swindle. The arrest ended a six-year search by federal authorities. But Lafitte—who naturally claims to be descended from his namesake—seemed unwilling to admit that his colorful career was over. "Just when...

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