Poor Troy Hebert. He just can’t catch a break.
If he’s not placing a former business partner on the payroll of the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commission (ATC) but who is not required to report to work, he’s placing a person on the payroll specifically for the purpose of visiting lawmakers in the area.
If he’s not requiring employees to stand as he enters a room and greet him with a cheery, “Good morning, Commissioner,” he’s issuing a new directive prohibiting agents from criticizing other agents to the public and media—a clear violation of the First Amendment.
If he’s not cracking down on state cellphone use by ATC agents—even after explicitly informing them that they were free to use the phones for personal use because of their unusually long working hours across the state (and because the phones come with unlimited minutes), he is putting his agency in such a state of disarray that other law enforcement agencies now exclude ATC from participation in raids—a radical departure from past protocol.
If he isn’t taking off to St. Lucia for a week in December of 2010 without taking leave or leave without pay, he’s using state equipment to haul materials to his home currently under construction in Baton Rouge.
And if he’s not purchasing a $10,000 dog ostensibly for the purpose of sniffing synthetic marijuana even though no drug sniffing canine is qualified to locate synthetic drugs (because the chemical ingredients are constantly changing) and then reassigning the agent who went through training with the dog, then he’s pursuing trespassing charges against a person who rescued an emaciated dog from his vacant, unfinished home.
The latest incident involving the former state senator-cum-highly-paid Piyush Jindal appointee revolves around an 11-month Great Dane that Hebert said he was attempting to nurse through an episode of hip dysplasia—by leaving the animal unattended in a vacant house on Christmas Eve.
Hebert is building a new home on South Lakeshore Drive in Baton Rouge and Angie Brumfield of Denham Springs was walking her own dog around the Louisiana State University lakes with a friend. They stopped at the house which had a sign inviting passersby to photograph the home’s Christmas display.
As they waited for others to finish taking photos, Brumfield looked through a window of the unoccupied home which had no curtains.
Inside, she saw the sick gray-and-white female Great Dane lying on the floor. She described the animal as “emaciated, in distress and with bones protruding where they should not be.”
She said she thought the dog had been abandoned and left there to die.
A photograph by the New Orleans Times-Picayune posted on its nola.com http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2013/01/sick_dog_found_in_baton_rouge.html
showed an extremely sickly animal lying on a floor, with protruding ribs and hip bones.
She coaxed the dog through a sliding door in the rear of the home but never entered the house, she said. She took the animal home, cared for it over Christmas, looked for lost dog signs, and posted a Cragslist ad in an attempt to locate the owner.
She took it to a veterinarian the day after Christmas and the vet discovered a microchip in the dog which indicated it was owned by Hebert.
Hebert said his veterinarian had given pain medication for the dog and instructed the family to monitor the animal’s progress but the dog, named T-Girl, lost considerable weight because of the illness and was able to walk on only three legs.
Brumfield posted a photo of the dog on Facebook, expressed her distress at its condition and named Hebert and his pediatrician wife Dawn Vick as its owners and that’s when the trouble started.
Hebert, who seems to take undue pleasure at demeaning his employees and criticizing them both privately and in the media, took umbrage at Brumfield’s perceived attack on his reputation. “We have done nothing wrong,” Hebert sniffed. “We’re not going to stand back and allow some stranger who broke into our home, stole our dog and is attacking us on a social website when all we’ve been trying to do is deal with a very sad situation.”
Sure sounds like a vicious crime wave to us.
Sad or not, employees of ATC have confirmed that Hebert regularly brought a Great Dane (it’s not certain if it was T-Girl or another Great Dane owned by Hebert) to ATC last summer and would routinely leave the animal in the back of his pickup truck, exposed to the hot summer sun throughout the day with no food or water.
Now, though, he claims that Brumfield may have harmed T-Girl by moving her and keeping her without medication. “We firmly believe that after she took our dog, it made matters worse,” he said.
Hebert reported the matter to Baton Rouge police and Brumfield and her friend now face misdemeanor charges of unlawfully entering premises and unauthorized use of a “movable.”
Apparently, Hebert can do little more these days than pursue those who attempt to aid an animal in distress now that the Baton Rouge Police Department and the parish Alcohol and Beverage Control Board no longer work with ATC.
Prior to Hebert’s appointment ATC regularly participated in raids with other law enforcement agencies but two recent raids—one in Baton Rouge and the other in Lafayette—were carried out without ATC’s involvement.
A retired ATC agent told LouisianaVoice that Hebert “has destroyed an agency that once took the lead in serious investigations.”
The former agent said that agents spent years building relationships with local, federal and other state agencies. “We constantly worked with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. marshals, military Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and other agencies,” he said.
“Many of us were integral members of Joint Terrorism Task Forces; we were teaching classes on alcohol and tobacco laws in police academies. We were one of the leading agencies in our field. We conducted compliance checks for sales of alcohol and tobacco to underage customers. We worked with the Louisiana State Police conducting DWI checkpoints.
“We trained and worked with local police departments and sheriffs’ offices to conduct their own operations.
“I think all that has been destroyed,” he said.
Hebert was appointed by Jindal on Nov. 23, 2010 and less than a month later he and his wife vacationed for a week in St. Lucia. He took neither annual leave (because he had not worked long enough to accumulate a week’s leave time) nor leave without pay.
When later confronted by state officials, he blamed a subordinate and was allowed to correct the “error” which, in some quarters, might be considered payroll fraud and grounds for dismissal.
He also hired Sean Magee of Jeanerette, a former business partner in a Hurricane Katrina debris cleanup business (while Hebert was still a state senator), to work for ATC but several agents say he never appears at the Baton Rouge headquarters.
More recently he has hired a legislative liaison whose only duties are to visit with legislators—even as he has reduced the number of enforcement positions which in return resulted in ATC’s becoming ineligible for certain federal grants. The agency also has lost its eligibility for sending agents to the FBI National Academy.
His most recent innovation is to craft a personnel policy expected to be released within the next few days that prohibits agents from criticizing other agents to the public or media.
As the head of a state law enforcement agency, perhaps Mr. Hebert should take the time to familiarize himself with the Louisiana Whistleblower Protection Act (R.S. 42:1169), the Louisiana State Employee Governmental Code of Ethics and the Bill of Rights, particularly the pesky First Amendment which guarantees citizens the right of free speech.
Louisiana Voice 
Oh, but Hebert isn’t to blame. He is only following the precedent set by his political patron, LBW Jindal.
Freedom of speech for state employees has always been curtailed by the same civil service rules designed to prevent (though they never really did) political patronage and protect employees from political retribution. Recent events throughout state government indicate civil service protection has decreased while restrictions on free speech have increased. I don’t even want to think about the animal cruelty thing, but I did see at least one case during my volunteer shelter work when a dog picked up by animal control appeared to have been abused but had, in fact, lost a lot of weight due to an illness from which it was recovering. In any case, there is no excuse for animal cruelty.
He definitely sounds like a Jindal appointee.
No other law enforcement agencies work with them anymore?
That is a huge red flag!
Yes, this. Everything else in this article reads bad enough, but if the decline of the agency is portrayed accurately, this is an awful thing for us. Can’t Jindal just say, okay, this appointment was a mistake, and get this loon out of there?
Hebert will bring in turncoat attorney (guess who) to tell the employees that those rights do not apply to civil service employees! Our agency was told the 5th Amendment does not apply to us if there is an investigation….
Hopefully the agents will be smart enough to do their homework and sift through the lies. Hebert only wants mindless minions working for him. That’s why he has to get rid of the independent thinkers. Just think, the ones who are/were loyal to him thinking that would save their skins are now shaking in their boots. Serves them right for doing his bidding even though they knew it was wrong…
Besides a high school diploma, what type of experience, education, training does this little man have under his belt? He isn’t even required to take the mandated supervisory training that all other supervisors in the state are required to take. Since being at ATC he has done nothing but blast his own employees as being corrupt and out of control so that when he is exposed, he can say its because of all the righteous things he has done on the taxpayers behalf. But yet has required these same and I qoute little Troy, “lazy agents” to submit on a monthly basis, their ideas to make ATC better because he is void of any original thoughts and ideas. What about his purchasing a $10,000.00 drug dog for his war on synthetic drugs, then spending another $5,000.00 on equipment for the dog? The mainstream press was quick to do his bidding by running a big story on the dog and what he will do. Where is the follow-up? Has this dog made a case? No!!! In fact his handler is in Baton Rouge everyday over fleet and inventory. What about the cases that were being made by one ATC agent against food stamp fraud across the state that was in the millions? Gone, and the agent shipped across the state and told he could not conduct those type of investigations. Ask little Troy who’s handling his Tobacco investigations? He has dismantled and run off any agent that had experience at conducting Tobacco investigations. All anyone in the press has to do is go to ATC and ask to speak to his lead investigator responsible for conducting these types of investigations that in fact ATC is responsible to conduct as part of a tobacco settlement, and they won’t find an agent that can do it because they don’t exist. There is and has never been any follow-ups to claims and promises little Troy has made in the press. What about a joint press conference he did with the Mayor of New Orleans where he promised to hire additional agents and bring on reserve agents to ATC? What he did was fire agents that were on probation in the New Orleans area for no reason. ATC was working with several neighborhood organizations holding crime walks and conducting criminal investigations in the greater New Orleans area. All gone and agents told just recently that criminal investigations were not allowed anymore. All the press has to do is ask but wait, ATC agents can’t speak to the press about those things and expose the fraud that is little Commisioner Troy Hebert!!!
Good point mgbfu. One would think that it would at least require an investigation for sure. Little Troy has stated in many meetings with his people that “if the govenor had his way, he would take all of your guns and badges away and have about 15 agents in enforcement”. Maybe he is just doing the will of the govenor. More and more state agencies are being put under State Police for more consolidation of power and control over a powerful industry. Lets see what happens to ATC!!!
Sounds like he is prepping ATC for Jindal to remove it from existance, or just reducing its effectiveness if he ever got alcohol and tobacco lobby money.
Hebert increased the fines and fee that violators paid to ATC. For year 2011, he reported that the agency had a 300 percent (no typo) increase in revenue. What does he do? He gives the money back to Baton Rouge instead of paying his agents, which Jindal stated agencies could do if they had the money to do so. As stated here before, any agent that showed a little smarts and proven know-how Hebert wanted to be rid of. He reminds me of some people who couldn’t stand to have someone more intelligent and with more experience than them work under them. Instead of using those people to promote the agency, he gets rid of them and calls them “troublemakers.” He once told agents, “you don’t have to like me, but I want you to love ATC.” Agents saw through the bull, but were and still are virtually powerless to do anything. This reminds me of underground movements where people have to secretly plan to rid themselves of a tyrant. What a bum…
What a story, they make me sick!
He is just like others that were appointed by Jindal. They are at the agency long enough to make all the long time, dedicated employees retire or others quit because they cannot tolerate the hostile work environment. Then they run for and get elected to other state positions or are appointed to other higher paying positions and leave the agency which has lost all of its creditibility and integrity with the public and all its employees with years of institutional knowledge to struggle to provide services to the taxpayers. Pitiful!
Yes New Orleans Lady it is pitiful. Little Troy is making such preparations using classified employee’s to go around the state and visit lawmakers and let them know that ATC is there to help them. This while civil service prohibits such activity from classified employees. But what do you expect when the OIG’s office, the Department of Revenue and the press has known he has been building his mansion on the lakes of LSU on taxpayer time for over a year now.
That’s the biggest question I have how can you build a house and have an ATC employee purchasing material for your home all on state time without this being a problem???? I resigned in April 2012 and this was going on long before then.
I constantly tell my students that ‘Only In America,’ the things that continue to undermine the Government go unpunished.
What about his most recent personal “Yahoo” account deal? His staff attorney sent out a distressful email claiming if anyone has sent Troy Hebert an email to his Troyhebert@yahoo.com account then they are to fax the letter to a certain Baton Rouge number. Surely she’s not suggesting Ole Troy is monitoring or playing in his personal email website while on the taxpayers dime. Man, that would be slammed on the agents and would be plastered all of the news media for everyone to see. He’s a two headed snake that looks only after himself. If’s obvious, he hates his enforcment agents with the exception of Jeffery Barth and Sean Magee. Everyone else is worthless in his distorted eyes. Agents are constantly quitting this hell-hole while the devil is sitting on the throng.
In this particiular instance, his staff attorney is simply complying with a request by LouisianaVoice for all ATC-related emails between Hebert and ATC agents. She is required by law to comply with our request.
We have got to load up the legislative incoming session with the Disgust of the people,Enough is Enough!
@CJBatiste – What would you suggest we do? I did what was allowed for all the bills introduced during the last session (I think we made it pretty clear how we feel) and I only saw a few who represent the people take a stand for us and aganist PJ and his cronies?
I could not agree more CJBatiste!!!
[…] Read the full post here. […]
[…] Poor Troy Hebert. He just can’t catch a break. If he’s not placing a former business partner on the payroll of the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commission (ATC) but who is not required to report to work, he’s placing a person on the payroll specifically for the purpose of visiting lawmakers in the area. If he’s not requiring employees to stand as he enters a room and greet him with a cheery, “Good morning, Commissioner,” he’s issuing a new directive prohibiting agents from criticizing other agents to the public and media—a clear violation of the First Amendment. […]
Wow, what an unbelievable story. How does this sort of thing not make “the news”?
I think for people to believe one side of a story is too much black and white going on. Lets hear the other side of the story, sounds like jealously here.
Too much black and white? Isn’t that what’s normally wanted by people things in black and white I have never heard anyone say “let me see this in purple and orange”. Obviously, you’ve made his flunky list……..
The author of this page is dead on with his reporting. I live down here and I’ve seen it all and this Little Troy fellow sounds like a narcassist pig. “Do as I say but not as I do” no longer holds water little fella. Why don’t he produce his phone bill or his close staff cell builds? Keep digging Mr. Aswell and you’re strike oil very shortly. The smell is in the air and it’s a new year. Let’s start this one off right by ridding a failed attempt to win a Congressional seat for little troy. Hasn’t he leeched off the taxpayers long enough?
If you’re “nursing” a dog that is emaciated & in pain, and you leave for the holidays, who is standing by to give the poor dog the small frequent meals required of a shrunken stomach? Who is enticing it with something meaty cleverly concealing pain medicine that’s required at intervals more frequent than “gone for Christmas” permits? Who is there assisting the lame animal to water or kennel visits as required? If Herbert could genuinely and honestly demonstrate that this dog was truly cared for in his absence, then his sordid reputation would be vindicated. To instead press charges on 2 people who obviously care for animals the right way, is to distract from the fact that the common folk often know more than the unrighteously privileged folk. Maybe it’s just another Herbert attempt to suppress the most fundamental American right, freedom of speech. If you don’t set yourself up for negative comments, they won’t be spoken about you. Be a man, be a political officer, be a leader. Take your punishment as it comes, rather than trying to bite back over honest & factual Facebook postings. You’ll ruin 2 employment futures in addition to those of hard working ATF agents AND YOUR OWN (if there’s any justice).
Where are the news media investigative reporters ref this matter…???
Seems a FOIA on Heberts’ email (both state & personal if accessed from state computer &/or during work hours) are subject to a look see…
Check state cell phone records also, what is the usage, state vehicle usage (any completely ridiculous use)…???
Time off since he’s earned vacation tme, do the records reflect accurately his presence @ work/time taken off…???
If this website is a credentialed news organization, why doesn’t it pursue this matter…???
We can only assume that Mac is not a regular LouisianaVoice reader or he would know we have devoted considerable time and effort to this story—and we are not finished. While there is no official FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) in Louisiana—that’s a federal law—there is the state public records act under which we have submitted numerous requests for information to ATC and other agencies. We have requested Troy Hebert’s email records (which the agency is compiling as this is being written) and we’ve requested time sheet records and work products of certain employees. We also requested Hebert’s cell phone records but were told he does not have a state-issued cell phone.
As to whether LouisianaVoice is a “credentialed” news organization, I have more than 30 years’ experience as an investigative reporter for several metropolitian daily newapapers in the state. Are those credentials sufficient?
In this instance Mr Aswell, it seems as though I’ve insulted You. I have not been a regular reader, sorry… I’m fortunate enough to have found this blog today from a Dead Pelican posting.
You certainly have my apology for any un-intended insult perceived from my post… No Sir, I’m not aware of Your credentials… I certainly am now.
Additionally, I apologize for erroneously suggesting a FOIA, the public records law was my intended suggestion & I merely wasn’t concise enough for you… However, it is factual I believe that Mr Hebert’s cell records will be subject under that law (public records act) also due to its’ direct involvment in the matter @ hand. Would/could one utilize a subpoena duces tecum directed to his cell carrier, unless that has been ruled to be invalid…???
Again, You have my sincere apology…
Mac, I an assure you no apology is necessary. You did not insult me in any manner. This comment section is open to anyone, whether they agree with this blog’s contents or not. I am a staunch believer and defender in freedom of expression. I’m sure your suggestions were constructive in nature and they were accepted in that same vein. Please feel free to comment anytime.
—Tom Aswell, LouisianaVoice
Check the vehicle records!!!! You will definitely find some unusual mileages.
Not sure where “No” is coming from with the jealous comment. Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can get appointed to a position making $117,000.00 a year of which $10,000.00 was for him to drive his own vehicle but yet he still gets a brand new Tahoe with $2,300.00 rims and tires he purchased with a fuel card and then buried the cost of those tires and rims in other cost in a monthly report sent to the LA Department of Revenue. Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can send press releases out and do news stories that consist of out right lies and twisted versions of the truth and not have one of those so called news reporters question those claims or do follow ups? Should we be jealous of the fact that he can dispose of 53 people’s jobs by using tactics like telling an agent with 22 years with the state and roots in the Baton Area that ATC needs you to “relocate to North Louisiana because of your talents as a great supervisor” then go after his job once he has established himself in the area with housing and other expenses that cost him over $1,300.00 a month? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can hire his own HR person at ATC when the Department of Revenue, which ATC falls under, has a HR people already in place but won’t work with him to circumvent civil service rules and regulations to get rid of people that are doing their jobs? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy with nothing but a high school diploma, be appointed to a job making $117,000.00 a year, participate in the state retirement system so that after 3 years in this position he has locked in his cush state retirement? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can commit payroll fraud by going on a vacation out of the country, not do a leave slip, submit a time sheet that showed he worked everyday during that pay period, then get called out on it and then be allowed to blame it on a subordinate? Then get back to building a mansion on the Lakes of LSU on taxpayer time and using state owned utility trailers to haul materials for that mansion? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can shut down a whole investigative division that had viable, ongoing criminal investigations by firing four probationary employees from different parts of the state then sending those criminal investigators around the state because little Troy needed them in those same areas which he just fired people for NO reason? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can tell an agent that is a single mother on a Sunday evening that she is to report to the other side of the state on Monday because he is short an agent in that area because little Troy fired that agent only after being at ATC for three days because the agent asked little Troy to many questions during his training? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy can take evidence seized by agents and use the evidence as he sees fit but write up and attempt to fire other employees for minor infractions concerning evidence? Should we be jealous of the fact that little Troy who has absolutely NO experience at conducting any type of investigations, step in and run an investigation concerning an individual leaving a bar while intoxicated and then running over two bicyclist, killing one and seriously injuring another? Beleive me “No” I could go on and on. Jealous? I’m not jealous, I am sickened by it!!! Any other police chief or sheriff would be investigated for malfeasance in office and the local press camping out waiting to stick a camera in their face. But where are those “investigative” reporters now? They are at little Troy Hebert’s feet waiting on his next press release that he alone found a cure for cancer, then without questioning a damn thing, run it as a lead story on the six o’clock news!
Very well put Andrea. This whole story reeks of something…. and you pinpointed the flaw in the dog owners weak attempt to deflect it off themselves. Bottom line, any prudent person with any concern for an animal would have done the same thing. It is no where near in the realm of a theft! Never would these people who took the dog to try and help it have imagined that a well-to-do family such as the Heberts, with obvious resources, would leave a dog like that intentionally. I’m shocked at the condition this dog is in and so will the general public be when this backfires on them. And now a costly trial will be next? Based on this article he obviously has no regard for wasting or using public taxpayer funds and resources for his own needs…
The Heberts should be charged with animal abuse. Anyone with eyesight and compassion can see this dog is severely sick from the photo in this article. They chose to just stash the dog away to suffer alone. Selfish and inhumane people unfortunately show their true colors in the workplace which is evident from comments about this immitation of a man.
Awesome post Dedicated and very factual!!
Lil Troy will be hunting those “Russian” Agents for sure now that you’ve posted all of that material. He considers himself as an American and every agent working their prior to his appointment is considered a Russian. He also lets his super ego tell employees how he flies at 5000 ft while us little folks can only fly at 2500 ft. All of these subject have been said by Lil Troy in the situational room. He loves those women and makes one wonder…hmmmm!!
There’s the old adage “There are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth.” Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion but they should get their facts straight prior to posting.
The individuals being charged for tresspassing claim they did not enter the home. If you look at the photo of the dog it easily depicts the photo was taken from above, looking down at the dog. And if you’ve gone to the home you’d know they had to enter the home. They removed the dog from private property = theft. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out.
The dog/home owners have several animals and consider them part of their family as shown in their Christmas photo. They left a sign welcoming individuals to take photos of their Christmas decorations on their property, never imagining it would result in two individuals attempting to defame their character and tornish their reputation. The Commissioner is seasoned to being attacked, ridiculed and falsely accused due to being in the “political arena” but his wife is not. She has paid her dues over the many years to achieve her professional status and how dare two individuals falsely attack her character and reputation. She’s a mother, a pediatrician, a wife, a nurturer; it’s in her DNA to protect, not harm.
What is also not explained is the dog/home owners attempted early on to contact the individuals via facebook through a mutual friend to communicate what actually was occuring with the family dog. The individual not only refused to communicate with the dog/home owners but face-dumped (de-friended) the mutual friend. If the two individuals would have taken the time to engage with the dog/home owners they would have met two warm, caring and charming individuals. They would have learned of the families (six children) interaction with their pets.
The family dog was left in a warm environment (heat was working) and checked on in a timely fashion as medication was being administered. To move and remove the family dog was a violation, no doubt, but to attempt to twist and spin what occurred is purely unacceptable.
On principle alone the two individuals who trespassed, inflicted additional suffering to the family dog by removing her and character assassinated the owners on social media should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Where was the photo of the animal taken, the owner’s home or the home of the individual? We don’t know from the photo. Obviously you are close to the Hebert family or you would not have known the heat was on in the home and you would not have known that the Heberts attempted to contact the two individuals. Certainly Mr. Hebert, in his public comments about this issue, never mention attempting to contact the two nor did he mention that he was face-dumped.
“The individuals being charged for tresspassing claim they did not enter the home. If you look at the photo of the dog it easily depicts the photo was taken from above, looking down at the dog. And if you’ve gone to the home you’d know they had to enter the home.”
If you’re referring to the picture posted on Nola.com, it’s explicitly tagged as being taken by Angie Brumfield (sp?) inside her own home on Christmas Day, not at Hebert’s home/unfinished home/construction site/whatever on Christmas Eve.
The animal is also obviously in distress and in need of immediate veterinary care. You can see every single rib standing out like chimes on a xylophone. While atrophy (wasting) of the muscles of the affected leg can be part of hip dysplasia, there is no excuse for the extreme thinness in the rest of the body. Either the animal is in so much pain that she’s refusing to eat–or maybe, just maybe, the kind of people who leave an animal alone in a unfinished house for the holidays aren’t feeding her. Also, this kind of emaciation is almost never sudden, whether it occurs from starvation or illness.
It’s not as if these people can’t afford to take their animal to a vet. Hip dysplasia, as far as I can tell, does not itself cause severe weight loss and emaciation. There is more to this case than what Hebert’s claiming.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you worked for Mr. Hebert, “Marie.” I’ll even bet the first letter in your name rhymes with ‘Ray…’
Regardless of your explanation about how the picture was taken or who took it, the truth is that the dog is in need of medical attention- point blank. The truth is the dog was left in that fashion for a considerable amount of time. That’s called neglect. The truth is also that Mr. Hebert treats his employees like that dog and the few he likes, he will despise them when he gets his paranoia going again.
Mr. Aswell, that is precisely why I began my initial comment, first paragraph, with “there are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth.” Facts consistently exonerate the falsely accused.
Thank you for responding and thank you for allowing my response as well.
I think we are getting the dog and the malfeasance issues blurred.
Your articles led me to do my own digging on this man and I see he has acted like this his entire political career.
when the article stated that hebert was a former politican that explained enough to me HE IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!
Reblogged this on Cajun Conservatism and commented:
Our own Jeanerette native, “Pretty Boy” Troy Hebert
It should be an interesting week with Little “pretty boy” Troy. One has to wonder what kind of off the wall directives he’ll come out with this week. He has sternly enforced the fact that ATC is NOT to enforce arrest if narcotics/drugs are located in the stores. Likewise, he’s given a directive NOT to arrest those distributing synthetic marijuana. Moreover, Agents are to contact the local law enforcement agencies to come in and execute the arrest(s). This makes absolutely NO SENSE whatsoever. ATC has the same arrest powers as do the local law officers.
Little “pretty boy” Troy is now sending his K-9 handler around the state (thanks to this blog) to enter stores for the reason of searching and locating substances the agents were told to refer to the locals. One would hope the new Director would instill in Little “Pretty Boy” Troy’s head that ATC is an enforcement agency and an arrest every now and then would be a positive thing. Heck, it may even get the agent the GOLDEN PBS POINTS that Little Pretty Boy Troy bases his entire enforcement section on.
Little Pretty Boy Troy forwarded this page with it’s contents to every agent of ATC last week so everyone could read how he’s getting shredded. He’s upset and is coming after those posting. Fire up the polygraphs Colonel Ed for I’m sending some boys over to take ’em. Blah…blah…yada…yada. Keep throwing your net and trying to pull in a harvest. Everyone knows how you are and realize you only use people to get what you need and then you turn your back and act as if you’ve never known them. You’re a terrible, terrible person that doesn’t deserve one single penny of taxpayers money. Go back to hauling trash and let your wife support you. You’ll never be as good as her so relax and let her continue being the bread winner of the family. She’s far too intelligent and will eventually get tired of you using aggressive monotones towards her. Karma is a bitch Little Pretty Boy Troy and she’s coming straight at you.
Is Governor Jindal and/or his administration turning a blind eye, can’t they see that there’s a pattern of work place bullying going on here. Are they “condoning” Commissioner “Troy Hebert’s” unethical behavior in leadership? Gees, can’t they see that Commissioner Hebert is creating a “hostile work place environment” so for he has put his agents in harms way, verbally and physically belittled his agents, he has transferred agents away from their families for long periods of time, threatened his agents, using them against each other by using an agent to secretly keep tabs on other agents and the pattern is still growing!!!! “Deliberate indifference”.
“That’s a clown, yeah!”
Jindal says Troy Hebert is a great “ASSET” to the State of Louisiana. If you ask me, I think he was off by two letters…
Under normal circumstances there wouldn’t be a response to “No man is an island” but to clear matters up for you, you’re wrong on both accusations; employment and bet. By your comment it’s apparent you’ll never want nor accept the truth due to being blindsided with vindictiveness. Again, facts consistently exonerate the falsely accused.
Possibly the more appropriate idiom for your title should read “Take the Biscuit.”
This reeks of jealously. Why would he have to take leave or leave without to go on his honeymoon? He’s a salaried head of a state agency. Is any other salaried, statewide department head required to take leave or leave without pay?
Who said he was on his honeymoon? And, yes, all state employees are required to take leave or leave without pay. Why should a department head be treated any differently?
@ Ellis Hugh – Executive Order BJ 08-64, Section 7, B, states “An unclassfied officer or employee shall apply for use of, and use, annual leave, compensatory leave, or leave without pay when unavailable to serve their appointing authority as a result of voluntary or involuntary conditions, such as PERSONAL VACATION TRIPS UNRELATED TO THE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE’S DUTIES, performing poltical activities during regular tour of duty hours, or performing for compensation, non-appointment related activities, duties, or work during regular tour of duty hours.”
That about says it all …
That’s the biggest question I have how can you build a house and have an ATC employee purchasing material for your home all on state time without this being a problem???? I resigned in April 2012 and this was going on long before then.
I keep coming back to see what Ellis Hugh’s response is going to be to Tom’s last question. Please enlighten us as to why a dept head should be exempt from taking off to attend personal business/trips. I realize it’s pretty much the norm in Jindal’s administration but what’s your input Ellis?
Can hip dysplasia cause such severe emaciation? As funny as this may seem, when I saw the photo of the Great Dane, T-Girl, that was rescued from the Heberts, my 1st thought was fleas! The dog reminded me of a sickly, skinny stray that landed on our door step a few years ago. As it turned out, the stray was dying a slow death from flea infestation! Flea infestation causes anemia, extreme weight loss and even death, if left untreated. Fleas basically suck the living life out of animals. I wonder if the Great Dane was checked for fleas? Flea infestation is treatable, and there would be no excuse whatsoever for not treating “a member of the family”, and should result in charges filed against the owners. I would hope the dog hasn’t been returned to them!!!
I commend the 2 Good Samaritans who rescued the dog and saved her life. There should be more people like you in this world!!!
Well, there’s this passage I’ve got memorized, sorta fits the occasion. Ezekiel 25:17? “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord….when I lay my vengeance upon thee.”
This so true, we do as thus said the Lord, he will take care of whatever he know is wrong.
Ms Marie,
Do you have a ‘rebuttal’ to gunsmoke007’s quote aimed at Ellis Hugh? It’s fairly obvious Ellis Hugh has left the conversation. Please enlighten us with your ‘defense’ of your friend’s vacation without leave.
Well said, Dedicated. The scripture is most fitting in this circumstance. God sees all… both good and evil.
@ Naildriver. That’s a good question for Marie, and it will be interesting to see her comments.
I would like to point out that Exec. Order BJ-12-02 was issued on 4/2012, retroactive to 1/14/08, to amend Exec. Order BJ-08-64 (Rules and Policies on Leave for Unclassified service). No changes, however, were made to the Sections related to “Applicability” or “Use of Annual Leave”, and the Exec. Order did not appear to include any specific exemptions for Troy Hebert.
The Exec. Orders can be viewed at:http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/1204/1204.pdf
(It’s listed as Exec. Order BJ-01 on the Table of Contents. Possibly a typo.???)
Her desire to ‘defend’ will certainly solicit a response. A good attorney or admin assistant (or both) will argue anything to score additional points with “Da Man!” “Da Man” is reading these posts each day. Spotlight is on you Marie so bring forth the defense ;).
If Mr. Hebert used neither annual/compensatory leave nor leave without pay for the absence (personal vacation) at issue, it violates the Executive Order. It’s an inarguable issue, plain and simple, and warrants further investigation.
I couldn’t agree with you more gunsmoke007. JS or SB a.k.a. Marie, will be here soon to defend him. It should be a good spin they put on this.
She’ll be back Tuesday when the offices re-open.
Regarding the issue of taking leave time off by public employees w/o proper documentation, payroll fraud is a term which first comes to mind…
WOW! Payroll fraud. I saw a press release from the ATC website, “State workers disciplined after GPS tracks work day”, dated 10/20/2012. He said prosecutors were looking at payroll fraud when he learned that a couple of agents were late and one did not show up for work after he installed GPS devices. From what I read earlier on this post, is that he himself was AWOL in December 2010 for a whole week. Just because he’s a “Commissioner” he’s exempt from being absent without leave, really! I guess he leads by example because those agents must have followed his leadership. But wait a minute, it goes back to, “Do what I say, not as I do”.
It’s ok Commissioner, monitor and keep reading Louisiana Voice and when you do, keep this in mind. When you have two or three disgruntle employees it’s ok, that can be dealt with. But when you have the whole agency complaining, something should tell you; it’s not the employees. But, being the “SHYSTER” that you are, you’ll never change.
This conversation prompted me to conduct further research,.
According to the Dept. of Revenue’s website’s Dept. Profile, Mr. Hebert serves in the capacity of “Assistant Secretary” for the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control which, in turn, reports to the Secretary of Revenue. The Secretary of Revenue leads the Executive Management Team, which consists of the Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary, and four Assistant Secretaries, one of which is Mr. Hebert. Only the Secretary of Revenue is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.
At the time of Mr. Hebert’s appointment in November, 2010, Cynthia Bridges was the Revenue Secretary.
That brings up the question. Who serves in the official capacity of Revenue Secretary now? Revenue’s website only refers to Tim Barfield as its Executive Counsel.
That’s exactly right gunsmoke007. There are 250,000 reasons why they don’t call him The Revenue Secretary!!!
I was listening to Elliot Stonecipher yesterday discuss how Louisiana law is actually set up to allow government officials to get away with being corrupt.
I submit that Mr. Hebert, with his years as a state representative and senator, has plenty of experience being corrupt (that debris removal company comes to mind).
So why should his tenure as the head of a state agency be any different?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the little man made his enforcement agents wear a pedometer in order to monitor how much walking they do during their tour of duty. Let’s see, two GPS units on their vehicles, very strict time limit per store, so I can certainly see Mr. Paranorial attaching pedometer on these men and women in an effort to better control their “working time.” Sounds fairly ludicrous but it’s spot on in that fella’s ‘controlling’ way of thinking. Report your daily activities, mileage, pedometer numbers and most importantly, your PBS golden points and you’ll be on your game. C’mon, do more with less…you can do it agents. Work 60-70 hours per week. One cannot help but wonder how many hours Little Troy works per week. JS or SB (Marie), care to let us know?
I was told by a trooper that the Col and all Lt. Col.s now have Tahoes with 20″ wheels and tires.
Looks like Mr. Hebert’s insanity is spreading.
Some people are just “BORN STUPID”…..
justice for the dog is needed that tripped this whole conversaton. Who has the poor dog and is caring for his treatment? The person that truly cared when the Heberts didn’t tells you a lot. That dog was in distress!
You are right puppylove but the other postings shows the true character of someone that doesn’t care about anthing or anyone other than himself and Piyush Jindal.
Yepper, and if he should get his way, GOD HELP US! he will throw Jindal and everyone else that look up to him under the bus. He just can’t help himself, I’ll say it again, some people are just “BORN STUPID”.
The little fella is still on a rampage and he’s still reading these pages. Say hello to little pretty boy Troy. His world is about to fall all around him and there’s no way he can hide from what’s coming. Lil Pretty Boy Troy, you’ve gone too far and you know it. Be really nice to your wife as she will be the sole supporter of her family. Surprised you haven’t fired her yet but that’s probably getting close too. Wait until she reads the complaint being filed against you regarding your flirtatious activities. Lil Troy, go to church and repent, it’s never too late. Ask for forgiveness in your greed and the way you’re tearing families apart out of some “I’m better than you” agenda. Pray Lil fella, that’s all you have left.
Talk to his former constituents if you’re unsure of his character. Can so many people be wrong? Sounds like a bunch of people have been “wronged”. It’s sickening and an injustice to think that the mainstream media hasn’t picked up on this. And, by the way, what’s even remotely “pretty” about him?? YUCK!!!
Hey Commissioner, it does’nt feel good, hun!!
It didn’t feel good for me when you fired me without reason.. And to order employees not to communicate with me and tell you everytime I would call them. As you read remember back on all the employees and their families that you have destroyed.
Dang, you too? He was pissed off when I quit then harassed a fellow co-worker because he felt that they were aware of my reasons for resiging and not telling him. I guess you were scared to death that I was going to expose your wrong doings towards LP, EB, RK, LT, TM, and many, many others. Its so funny how you thought you were getting over with all the lies. I can smell b.s. from miles away.
This evil little man is just a crash test dummy for this administration. They have turned him loose to see what he can do and what the fallout would be and then they will crunch the numbers and see if other appointees can do the same. But when he is exposed as being a racist, among several other things, (I don’t want to ruin the surprise for little Troy) he will be cut loose and shunned by this administration. Piyush Jindal can’t be associated with the likes of little crash test dummy Troy when 2016 rolls around. With this session coming up, you can bet the crash test dummy is campaigning hard for support, mailing letters to all permit holders stating what a great job he has done and has done it single-andedly. He is at the governor’s office getting his marching orders on what to start lobbying for during the session. He will have his staff go into campaign mode and start making deals to get this administration’s agenda done. It has been said that is where his talents lie, he is truly amazing to watch.
Based on some of the preceeding comments, the BITCH – named “KARMA” is coming around… jus’ sayin’
She’s coming Mac and she’s bringing her entire family with her!
And you will not need 3-D glasses to see them coming!!!!
I guess you really can judge a man by his friends.
Hey Little Troy, since you are ordering all 15 of your agents to work this weekend, are you going to have your sorry butt out there helping, too? Nevermind, you’d just get in the way because you don’t know anything about law enforcement work. Send your girl Marie (SB or JS) back on here to give us an update on T-girl the dog. Has she made a recovery? Have you found an isolated place to hide her until she dies? Did you ever rid her of fleas? Inquiring minds want to know since you’re a self-proclaimed animal lover.
15 agents?
Where there used to be 50?
How do you even begin to effectively enforce state law with so few?
I know the industry wanted enforcement reduced, but I did not realize just how deep in the pockets of the industry Mr. Hebert and Gov. Jindal were!
Perhaps Mr. Aswell knows the exact number of ‘enforcement’ agents (those you see on the streets) but I can only think of 15. I don’t know how many are up north because a majority are down here but they are dropping out each day due to Little Troy. Those that stay due to their years of service are constantly being hunted by Little Troy or JB. It appears if you’re not a Troy robot then you will either be moved away from your family, demoted, isolated, or fired.
Little Troy, you aren’t in the house of representatives or the senate anymore. You are in the house of law enforcement professionals. Your lack of knowledge in this field is overwhelming and absolutely insane. Just remember, you have a retired professional law enforcement professional working for you that was #2 in the state. This gentleman has “EARNED” respect and never demanded it. He works in the #2 position right now at ATC. Unlike you, he has a conscience and is concerned about his subordinates in this failing agency. He bleeds blue blood! You, on the other hand, bleed green (greed/money). Karma is closer than you think Lil Troy…she’s close enough for you to smell her breath on a daily basis. Enjoy sitting in the skyboxes with Piyush tomorrow evening during the Superbowl. Let’s see, that should be about 5000 ft while the rest of the people are at 2500 ft (your words Troy, not mine).
I just came across this blog and some of the things some are posting are rather personal in nature. It’s one things to dislike Mr. Hebert but the attacks on his family really cross the line. There seems to be another side of this story that is not being published. Most of these negative comments are rather one-sided. I ve seen this happen before when someone tries to reform an organization in need of reform but finds resistance from within because its easier for them and do not adapt well to change.
justwondering:
I seriously challenge Your ability, credibility & intellectual honesty in understanding the meanings as intended by their use from the English language regarding Your allegations that the previous posts as “rather personal in nature” & “attacks on his family”…
Are You serious…???
Obviously your a kool-aid drinker “justwondering.” I believe you to be one of those rats on a sinking ship so drink up!!!
Question, how can you “change” an agency that you are clueless on its purpose, the laws it is there to enforce, and so one and so forth? That’s like hiring me to oversee daily operations at ExxonMobil, I come in and just start pressing random buttons. The outcome of that the Southern portion of America gone. He didn’t take time to familiarize himself with the agency and its employees.
“I just came across this blog and some of the things some are posting are rather personal in nature.”
Really, you just happened across a blog that was posted on January 06, 2013 and had 83 posts on it? You were likely “directed” to this blog.
“It’s one thing to dislike Mr. Hebert but the attacks on his family really cross the line.”
What line are you talking about justwondering? The line that Mr. Hebert treaded miles across when he fired agents for no reason whatsoever? The line of revenge when he demoted agents just because of the color of their skin or because they didn’t agree with his dictatorship ways? Do you honestly think his actions didn’t AFFECT the countless FAMILIES of the agents he’s screwed over? I haven’t read anything negative towards his family on here. In fact, I posted how intelligent his wife appears to be in an earlier posting.
“There seems to be another side of this story that is not being published.”
Well tell us what you know!!! You came on here to discredit the previous posts so you need to offer some type of rebuttal other than what you’ve said.
“Most of these negative comments are rather one-sided.”
Duhhh…you think? Isn’t that what makes them ‘negative?’
“I ve seen this happen before when someone tries to reform an organization in need of reform but finds resistance from within because its easier for them and do not adapt well to change.”
I’m sure the followers (including Lil Troy) are eager to know where you’ve seen this happen before. What agency or business? You make me “justwonder” about you and you’re lack of evidence discrediting anything printed in this blog. This is an open forum being provided for discussion of state politics. There has been no line crossed as you’ve suggested. Accepting a public office and then acting like you’re a God comes with consequencies. As long as I pay taxes in this state, I feel I have a right to express my opinion as long as it doesn’t constitue defamation of character and my posts are no where near that ‘line!’
From what I have been told Mr. Hebert checks this blogpost frequently to see what is being said about him.
I’d like to hear what he has to say in his defense.
Yes Mac I am serious. When you start talking about or including a person’s family in what is obviously something personal against one individual then in my humble opinion strikes below the belt. No Dedicated, I have not been drinking the Kool Aid nor do I work for ATC. As far as just coming across this blog that is a fact. I was searching other political blogs and came across this one. As far as where I have seen this happen before, during my military service we would ofter seen new commanders come through and make changes that were not popular and often hated by those who resisted change.
As far as attempting to discredit this blog that is not my intent. I am simple viewing this from another prospective and with the overwhelming amount of rather vicious attacks on Mr Hebert, I felt that the other side of the story has not been presented. You are absolutely correct Naildriver,you do have the right to express you opinion as well as the rest of us.I do not profess to know everything on this issue but based on what I have read the comments are extremely vicious.
Well “justwondering”, present Lil crash test dummy Troy’s defense! I seriously question your honesty when it comes to running across this blog or working for ATC. When you go back and look at all the points brought up in this blog, seriously you have nothing to offer up but ” I am simple viewing this from another prospective and with the overwhelming amount of rather vicious attacks on Mr Hebert”. What about the blatant vicious attacks on most all employee’s that were there when this evil little man was appointed? How can you defend someone who tells new agents that they are Americans and the senior agents are Russians and its the Americans against the Russians? Of course you know all this and more justwondering or should I just call you MG? Stop watching “Cool Runnings” and pay more attention to whats going on around you!!!
What do you deem vicious justwondering? Is it the nicknames “Little Troy, Pretty boy Troy”, etc? There is nothing printed on here that isn’t true. You, like the disappearing Marie, simply state there are two sides to every story but doesn’t have anything further to add. Again, I challenge you to show where something printed in this blog about Hebert is untrue. I appreciate your comments even though you are either misguided (drinking the Kool-aid) or you’re simply not educated on Ex-Rep/Senate/failed Congressman Hebert. He’s doing anything and everything (including violating civil rights and civil service law) to terminate those employees at ATC prior to his appointment. He’s lost a civil service case already and has a tunnel full of letigation coming his way. He’s increased the probationary period of new agents to 2 years so he’ll have more control. He knows when Piyush leaves, he’s gone, too. Until then, he will continue to wreck the lives of agents and their families. He can hire you face-to-face but he doesn’t have the “manhood” to fire you face-to-face because he’s a coward.
I see where Mr. Hebert responded on The Ind blog.
That blog links to this piece.
He says it is all sour grapes by disgruntled employees.
I do not see how this many people can be put out of their jobs and he be blameless.
Again, I’d like to see him sit down with Mr. Aswell and explain his side.
Where can the Ind blog be found?
The way he talks about Mr. Aswell, I don’t see him meeting with him face-to-face. He doesn’t have that kind of backbone.
http://www.theind,com
When the page opens, scroll down to
http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/12797-atcs-troy-hebert-fires-back
At this moment it is the 14th entry under
‘INDreporter’
Sorry Mr Aswell, I hope I haven’t violated any blog rules or decorum, I just believe those who didn’t know should…
Thank you Mac!
C’mon, what a lame defense.
“Of course these disgruntled employees are going to complain”. “Incompetence and laziness will not be tolerated on my watch”.
First off why are they disgruntled and complaining? A sure sign is that you are not a leader. Miserable? Undoubtedly just how miserable depends on how bad of a leader they have leading them.
Second, you’re telling the public that out of a 50 man department 35 of them were all incompetent and lazy, so you’ve either terminated and/or made them so miserable that they had no choice but to resign so they could regain their sanity.
What, you rode the short buss and graduated from Hitler school of management. Use you’re head Troy, instead of just a “Hat Rack”.
Perhaps you are not consciously aware that you are the one causing the problems. And if you are aware of it, you will never admit it to anyone, least of all yourself.
From what I have been told, Louisiana ATC used to be “The Standard” for how a state alcohol/tobacco enforcement agency was supposed to operate.
The Federal government thought so.
A Brittish film crew even came and filmed a documentary on them.
Now, a scant two years later no other law enforcement agency or department will work with ATC.
What has changed in that time?
A.D.H.D. can be controlled with medicine.
Years ago our parents just called it, B.A.D.
What has changed you ask? “B.A.D.” leadership!!!!!
I totally agree!
Louisiana Voice keeps us in touch
with the ignorance of leaders like Troy Hebert!
I like the way Troy skirted other issues dealing with the agents at ATC in his reply to theIND article. Furthermore, it shows he’s spineless to go to another news source to answer questions about an article Mr. Aswell authored. Put your big boy pants on Troy and have a face to face correspondence with Mr. Aswell. You’re a fan of these pages or you wouldn’t have sent the link to all of your agents TWICE.
It appears that Mr. Hebert treats ATC agents the way he does dogs.
Maybe A.L.F. needs to know on how he treats his dog!
Mr. Hebert can put all this to rest by simply getting with Mr. Aswell and explaining his side of the story.
But from what I have seen Mr. Hebert is a career politician and I doubt any truth would be forthcoming.
Still, I’d like to hear what the man has to say.
I’ve been hesitant to bring this up, however… some if not many of the employees who may’ve been wrongly/improperly disciplined/terminated could have their negative employment record(s) reversed, seek & sustain civil justice in the form of renumeration & a host of other possibilities depending on the findings from Mr Aswells’ informational discoveries.
This could become EXTREMELY interesting…
Mr Aswell… your thoughts/comments on my point, &/or can you provide any update as to any info you may have recieved thus far…???
Now I read that several ATC vehicles were shot up and equipment items stolen from one including a bullet proof vest.
THe only reason the vehicles were there in the first place was because of Mr. Hebert’s misguided and sophomoric policies.
Concerned and curious to know the outcome of the Great Dane dispute. The court hearing was scheduled for March 4th.
[…] Oh and we forgot to mention, Hebert has a reputation of nepotism and corruption. […]