Former New Orleans Hornets exec and current state Senate candidate Jack Capella has been ordered by a judge to respond to an inquiry relating to consulting fees he was paid by a now-defunct company that received millions of dollars in financing from Hornets owner George Shinn.

Shinn has declined to speak publicly about the case or go into detail about Mr. Capella.

Capella said Shinn "is a successful businessman who was fully aware of all aspects of his investments."

"At no time during my tenure with Mr. Shinn did I have any conflict of interest," Capella said.