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Archive for December, 2015

More than $45,000 in campaign cash is funneled through Executive Director by Louisiana State Troopers Association

Posted in Campaign Contributions, Ethics, Governor's Office, Legislature, Legislators, Lobbyist, State Police on December 9, 2015| 13 Comments »

LouisianaVoice has learned that The Louisiana State Troopers Association (LSTA) has funneled more than $45,000 in political campaign contributions through LSTA Executive Director David T. Young since 2003 without the knowledge of the organization’s rank and file membership.

Much of that amount ($23,750) was given to Bobby Jindal ($10,250) and to three of the four major candidates for governor in the 2015 election ($13,500).

This follows the LSTA’s endorsement of Governor-elect John Bel Edwards in his runoff election against U.S. Sen. David Vitter which also was done without consulting or polling LSTA membership.

Following revelations by LouisianaVoice, the LSTA board has taken action to ensure that no future candidates will be endorsed by the organization without first polling its membership. The board also declined to forward a letter to Edwards asking that State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson be reappointed for another four-year term. Edmonson denied that he asked for the letter but LSTA Interim President Stephen LaFargue twice confirmed that Edmonson did make the request.

It was LaFargue who made the motion at the board’s November 30 meeting to not send the letter. The 11-member board voted unanimously to not send it.

The LSTA, according to information contained on its website, is “a fraternal organization representing the men and women of the Louisiana State Police” and represents approximately 97 percent of the commissioned officers “as well as a substantial portion of State Police Retirees.”

Organized under Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, LSTA is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 to represent the interests of its members and to “improve the public services provided by our members to our community.”

Besides membership dues of $30 per month for about 950 active members and $15 per month for retirees under 60 (there are no dues for retires over 60), LSTA also relies on individual and corporate contributions to sustain its activities. It also sells decals, wearables, shirts, caps, glasses, mugs, flashlights, and miscellaneous clothing, according to information contained on the Secretary of State’s corporate records for LSTA Enterprises, LLC.

A member who spoke to LouisianaVoice on condition of anonymity said the board sets aside $25,000 per year for political contributions. Later, when candidates for office become known, the decision is made on whom to contribute money. “The problem with that is,” he said, “is that the membership has never been told of this. They knew nothing about it. David (Young) writes a check and then invoices the board for that amount.”

Another member, when shown the numbers said simply, “Holy s–t! We had no idea this was going on.”

A 501(c)(5) is allowed under IRS rules to make “unlimited corporate, individual or union contributions, so it was not immediately clear why the contributions were made through Young.

The same source said he was incensed by the action. “LSTA wasn’t set up for this kind of activity. Its main purpose is to provide support for trooper who have suffered misfortune, such as when a child has a major illness or when a trooper’s home burns down. We’re not supposed to get all involved in politics.”

Another source said it was not Young’s idea for the LSTA endorsement of Edwards or to make the political contributions and that in fact, he advised against the endorsement. “He (Young) has tried his best to keep Edmonson out of the LSTA’s operations. He and Frank (former President Frank Besson) butted heads constantly over that issue (the endorsement). But when it came down to it, Frank was President and David did as instructed. David has been dedicated and loyal to the LSTA for more than 15 years.”

Besson was recently promoted to captain’s rank and was forced to relinquish his presidency since no one with a rank higher than lieutenant may serve as an LSTA officer. LaFargue was elevated to the position on an interim basis until newly-elected President James “Jay” O’quinn takes office.

Following is a printout from the Board of Ethics Campaign Finance report on contributions made by LSTA through Young. Blank spaces represent the contributions of different David Youngs which were removed by LouisianaVoice.

Alario PAC, F202 : ANN  – LA-41156 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE BATON ROUGE, LA CC 12/21/2011 $1,000.00
Angelle, Scott A. F102 : 10P  – LA-52247 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   9/30/2015 $2,500.00
Broadwater, Chris F102 : 30P  – LA-50384 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70810   2/26/2015 $1,000.00
Broadwater, Chris F102 : 10P  – LA-25704 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Contribution. 9/16/2011 $250.00
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 30P  – LA-50765 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   6/26/2015 $500.00
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 30P  – LA-50765 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/27/2015 $500.00
             
Clark, Cloyce F102 : 10G  – LA-54484 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   10/14/2015 $500.00
Dardenne, John L. (Jay) F102 : ANN  – LA-47554 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70810-3107   12/11/2014 $1,000.00
Davis, Paula F102 : 10P  – LA-52147 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE BATON ROUGE, LA 70810   10/1/2015 $250.00
Downer, Hunt F102 : 90P  – LA-4445 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   5/29/2003 $250.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 10G  – LA-54393 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   10/26/2015 $5,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 30P  – LA-50798 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   8/10/2015 $2,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-48840 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA 70810-3107   7/16/2014 $1,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : 90P  – LA-49688 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   7/2/2015 $1,000.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-39161 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   7/14/2013 $500.00
Edwards, John Bel F102 : ANN  – LA-48840 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   10/30/2014 $500.00
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : 30P  – LA-20558 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   7/26/2010 $1,000.00
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : SUP  – LA-23092 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   10/25/2010 $500.00
Gautreaux, Dudley A. (Butch) F102 : 30P  – LA-20558 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   2/26/2010 $500.00
Gautreaux, Nick F102 : SUP  – LA-11398 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/22/2006 $250.00
             
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 30P  – LA-16780 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   2/11/2009 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 10P  – LA-25573 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   9/16/2011 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : 10G  – LA-27857 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   10/29/2011 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : ANN  – LA-35616 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/9/2012 $500.00
Guillory, Elbert F102 : ANN  – LA-39781 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/26/2013 $500.00
Guinn, John F102 : ANN  – LA-20241 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA   10/5/2009 $250.00
Heitmeier, David F102 : SUP  – LA-16593 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   2/20/2008 $500.00
Hoffmann, Frank A. F102 : 10P  – LA-25000 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   9/21/2011 $250.00
Hoffmann, Frank A. F102 : 30P  – LA-50146 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   4/10/2015 $250.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : 30P  – LA-24567 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   6/8/2011 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-34684 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   5/17/2012 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-39740 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   5/9/2013 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : ANN  – LA-47440 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 8120 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge, LA   3/25/2014 $500.00
House Democratic Campaign Committee of LA, F202 : 30P  – LA-51260 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 8120 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge, LA   5/31/2015 $500.00
             
Jackson, Michael L. F102 : ANN  – LA-11231 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/22/2006 $250.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 90P  – LA-24239 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA   4/21/2011 $5,000.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 180P  – LA-11626 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA   2/26/2007 $2,500.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : 30P  – LA-12153 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   8/18/2007 $2,500.00
Jindal, Bobby F102 : ANN  – LA-10037 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   9/30/2003 $250.00
             
             
LaBruzzo, John F102 : ANN  – LA-22748 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   12/3/2010 $500.00
LaFonta, Juan F102 : ANN  – LA-18988 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   10/15/2009 $500.00
Landry, Nancy F102 : ANN  – LA-17887 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   4/2/2009 $250.00
Leadership for Louisiana, F202 : ANN  – LA-34933 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/6/2012 $250.00
Leadership for Louisiana, F202 : ANN  – LA-39180 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   2/14/2013 $250.00
Martiny, Daniel R. F102 : 30P  – LA-12096 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   4/19/2007 $500.00
Michot, Mike F102 : ANN  – LA-17198 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   3/31/2008 $500.00
Mills, Fred F102 : 30P  – LA-24540 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA   4/25/2011 $500.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-24151 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr. Baton Rouge, LA Golf Tournament Fundraiser 11-12-2010 11/11/2010 $500.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : 10P  – LA-31755 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Golf Tournament 9/26/2011 $250.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-38808 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA Campaign Contribution 3/21/2013 $250.00
Montoucet, Jack F102 : ANN  – LA-24150 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1545 OAKDALE DR BATON ROUGE, LA   10/4/2009 $250.00
Nevers, Sr., Ben W. F102 : 90P  – LA-24091 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA donation 4/20/2011 $1,000.00
Nevers, Sr., Ben W. F102 : 10P  – LA-31700 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   9/15/2011 $500.00
             
             
Perry, Jonathan F102 : SUP  – LA-41161 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 OAKDALE DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA   9/22/2011 $500.00
             
             
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   10/28/2014 $500.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   1/24/2014 $500.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : ANN  – LA-47422 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   8/11/2014 $250.00
Robideaux, Joel F102 : 10P  – LA-25466 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   9/20/2011 $250.00
Schneider III, M. P. “Pete” F102 : 30P  – LA-50707 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Drive Baton Rouge, LA   7/16/2015 $250.00
Schroder, John F102 : ANN  – LA-38807 CONTRIB DAVID T. YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   4/3/2013 $250.00
Smith, Patricia Haynes F102 : SUP  – LA-35365 CONTRIB DAVID YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   10/24/2011 $500.00
             
St. Germain, Karen F102 : ANN  – LA-18774 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   2/25/2009 $500.00
St. Germain, Karen F102 : 10P  – LA-25903 CONTRIB DAVID T YOUNG 1548 Oakdale Dr Baton Rouge, LA   9/21/2011 $500.00
             

 

 

 

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Notable Quotables (in their own words)

Posted in Ethics, Notable Quotables, State Police on December 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

“It was alleged that you identified yourself more than once as the Executive Officer for LSP/Troop F to the Director of Security and to the Mississippi Gaming Commission agent while asking if there was the possibility of working something out.”

—Col. Mike Edmonson, in a letter dated August 2, 2010, in which he suspended Lt. Tommy Lewis for 40 hours for accompanying an underage woman into the gaming area of a Mississippi casino after having been instructed that she was not allowed in the area.

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State Police Lt. sneaked underage woman into casino; court records expunged, trooper later named Troop F Commander

Posted in Corruption, Ethics, Public Records, State Police on December 8, 2015| 19 Comments »

LSP TOMMY LEWISTOMMY LEWIS

Tommy Lewis, a high-ranking state police lieutenant in Troop F in Monroe was cited by the Mississippi Gaming Commission in April of 2010 for sneaking an underage woman who was not his wife into the gaming area of Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg. He apparently did so in defiance of state law barring anyone under the age of 21 from entering the playing area, according to documents obtained from both Louisiana State Police, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, and from Warren County (Mississippi) Justice Court.

He was subsequently promoted to commander of Troop F by State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson.

Lewis, who upon being caught, attempted to use his position as a law enforcement officer to “work something out,” was fined $627 by a Vicksburg justice of the peace and was suspended 40 hours without pay by Edmonson.

A trip to Vicksburg by LouisianaVoice turned up nothing. A Helpful deputy we encountered at the courthouse there, however, made several calls on our behalf and learned that the court record had been expunged. But the Mississippi Gaming Commission in Jackson still had records of the citation and Lewis’s court appearance at which he entered a guilty plea. Those documents were mailed to us pursuant to our public records request.

Expunging court records is a costly process. The person seeking the action must pay attorney fees and court costs which, together, can total several hundred dollars.

Three years later, Edmonson promoted Lewis to the rank of captain and named him commander of Troop F. He currently makes $131,000 per year in that position. Lewis was among higher ranking state police officers whom Edmonson assured legislators earlier this year would not be among those getting 30 percent pay increases as a result of two separate pay raise bills for state police passed within six months of each other.

In fact, Lewis, a native of Ferriday and a distant relative of rock and roll singer Jerry Lee Lewis, went from $83,640 per year at the first of the year to $124,150 with the first pay raise on March 1 and then to his current salary on June 24, an overall pay increase of 56.6 percent.

Troop F includes the 12 northeast Louisiana parishes of Jackson, Lincoln, Union, Ouachita, Caldwell, Morehouse, East and West Carroll, Madison, Richland, Tensas and Franklin.

LouisianaVoice obtained a four-page letter of August 2, 2010, in which Edmonson reviewed the events of April 15, 2010, when Lewis, then making $74,200 per year as Executive Officer of LSP Troop F, traveled with seven friends by limousine on a “guys” trip from Monroe to the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg.

Also obtained were records of the Mississippi State Gaming Commission and Warren County (Vicksburg) Justice Court. Those records were damaged in the mail and at first, only a damaged but empty envelope was received. Days later, the damaged but still readable letter arrived.

Copies of all documents may be examined at the bottom of this story. The damages to the Mississippi documents is readily discernable.

The Edmonson letter further noted that the men were “accompanied by three young ladies hired by the owner of the limo to tend bar during the trip.”

A check of four separate companies in Baton Rouge and New Orleans by LouisianaVoice failed to turn up any limousine services that provide bartenders, female or otherwise. “None of the limo services that I’m aware of provide that service,” said a representative of a New Orleans limo service. “The bars in the limos are very small. That sounds more like escorts than bartenders,” she added.

“Upon entering the casino it was announced that one of the young ladies…was 20 years old and underage, with regard to admission into the casino,” Edmonson wrote. Lewis would have been in his early to mid-40s at the time, according to one source.

Edmonson said Lewis admitted to drinking “during the limo ride and at least two more times in the casino” and that he further admitted that he was aware that the woman was only 20 and that he “accepted the ‘Under 21 minor card’ that was provided for her at the entrance of the casino.

Edmonson said Lewis told investigators that he and the woman “pretended to comply with the security officer’s instructions” regarding the woman’s not being allowed in the playing area of the casino but that the two “had full intentions to enter the playing area anyway” and that they subsequently threw the minor card away “while moving onto the casino floor” with the woman where she proceeded to play blackjack for “a couple of hours” before proceeding to the slot machines “where you inserted money and encouraged her to play the machine.”

Here is where things really got sticky:

After being issued a summons by an agent of the Mississippi Gaming Commission for allowing a minor to gamble and being banned from re-entry into the casino, “it was alleged that you identified yourself more than once as the Executive Officer for LSP/Troop F to the Director of Security and to the Mississippi Gaming Commission agent while asking if there was the possibility of working something out,” Edmonson wrote (emphasis ours). “In addition to the statements you provided during the investigations, security cameras and other witnesses were able to confirm your inappropriate actions while at Ameristar,” he said.

Lewis subsequently “provided an incident report to your commander which was misleading and (which) failed to contain the relevant information needed in a report of that nature,” Edmonson wrote, adding that his false statements placed Lewis in violation of LSP policy which says, “No commissioned officer shall willfully and/or intentionally withhold any information from a report or statement, knowing such information to be relevant to the report or statement.” (Emphasis Edmonson’s).

Edmonson said investigators sustained each of five allegations against Lewis, including:

  • (Failure) of conformance to laws;
  • Making false statements to his commander,
  • Use of intoxicants;
  • (Use of his) Badge of Office (for the purpose of avoiding the consequences of illegal acts);
  • Conduct unbecoming an officer.

“Investigators sustained all five allegations against you,” Edmonson said in his letter. Lewis was also ordered to appear before the Justice of the Peace in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he was fined $627 for the summons he received from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

“You are hereby suspended without pay and allowances for 40 hours,” Edmonson wrote. “Your suspension will begin at 0800 (8 a.m.) on Monday, August 30, 2010, and end at 1630 hours (4:30 p.m.) on Friday, September 3, 2010. You will report back to your assigned duty station at 0800 hours on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

Less than three years later, on July 11, Edmonson promoted Lewis to captain and installed him as commander of Troop F in Monroe in much the same manner that he promoted Lt. Harlan Chris Guillory to captain and made him commander of Troop D after it was learned that Guillory was abusing prescription drugs while on duty. https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice/posts/676564355693491

 

Below are documents from LSP and the Mississippi Gaming Commission received by LouisianaVoice. Click on the documents to enlarge them for easier reading:

TOMMY LEWIS LETTER PAGE 1TOMMY LEWIS LETTER PAGE 2TOMMY LEWIS LETTER PAGE 3TOMMY LEWIS LETTER PAGE 4IMAG1521IMAG1522IMAG1523

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We’re getting closer to publication: there now is a book cover for ‘Destiny and Obsession’ and you can pre-order right here

Posted in Book Review, Corruption, Governor's Office on December 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

JINDAL BOOK COVER

            We have a book cover!

Just a reminder that my latest book, Bobby Jindal: His Destiny and Obsession, is scheduled for publication in early January but you may pre-order your copy now.

To make the deal a little more enticing, we have a cover for the book. The photo of Jindal is just as unflattering as the contents of the book which presently appears to be about 500 pages.

If you order by clicking on the book cover’s image at the right, your order will be placed through Cavalier House Books of Denham Springs, a locally-owned independent bookstore.

Why would I encourage you to order through Cavalier House?

Two reasons.

  • First, by placing your order this way, you support a local independent book store, a cause I strongly endorse.
  • Second, because I live only about two blocks from Cavalier House Books, proprietor John Cavalier will summon me to sign each copy before he ships them out.

If you opt to purchase through Amazon or a big chain store, you’re hurting local business owners—much like shopping at Walmart instead of patronizing locally-owned stores. Moreover, you won’t get signed copies through those outlets.

Unless otherwise instructed, each signed book will be personalized to the name of the person ordering it. If you wish your copy signed to someone else (if it is a gift, for instance), please email me at:

louisianavoice@cox.net

DO NOT ORDER YOUR BOOK FROM THIS EMAIL ADDRESS. Order through Cavalier by clicking on Jindal’s photo at above right and email me separately on signing instructions.

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Painter and Mercer cases bear testimony to double standard employed in Jindal’s mishandling of ethical and legal issues

Posted in Boards, Campaign Contributions, Contract, Contracts, Corruption, Courts, Crime, Ethics, Governor's Office, Lawsuits, LSED, Media, Politicians, State Agencies on December 6, 2015| 16 Comments »

If you were to seek two cases that stand as glaring testimony to the way in which the Jindal administration employs a double standard in addressing legal and ethical issues, you need look no further than the cases involving Murphy Painter and Jeff Mercer.

Though the men never met and while one was a state employee and the other a private contractor, together, the two represent the composite poster child for victims of political favoritism and corruption. Both fell prey to unethical behavior and of the way political priorities have been set by the Jindal administration for the past eight years.

We have chronicled the manner in which Jindal and his henchmen made Painter a scapegoat by firing him from his post as director of the State Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC). We have shown how, when he refused to knuckle under and bend the rules for the benefit of Anheuser-Busch distributor Southern Eagle, SMG (the Louisiana Superdome management company), the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) Board, and Tom Benson, Jindal not only fired Painter but even tried (unsuccessfully) to prosecute him in federal district court on bogus criminal charges of computer fraud.

Not only was Painter acquitted of all (there were 42 counts, none of which stuck) charges, but the state then was required to repay Painter’s legal costs of $474,000.

Another embarrassment for Jindal: ex-ATC commissioner Murphy Painter wins defamation suit against his accuser

LouisianaVoice was the first—and only—news service to suggest (correctly, it turned out) that Painter, instead of a criminal, was the victim of a political scheme intended to remove him from his position after he refused to approve an incomplete application by SMG for a permit to erect a large tent at Benson’s Champions Square adjacent to Benson Towers across from the Superdome. The tent was to house beer sales by Southern Eagle on Saints game days. https://louisianavoice.com/2013/02/06/emerging-claims-lawsuits-could-transform-murphy-painter-from-predator-to-all-too-familiar-victim-of-jindal-reprisals/

Jindal executive counsel Stephen Waguespack, now President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), insisted—twice—that the permit be expedited, Painter asked that he put his concerns in writing but Waguespack responded that he was far too busy to reduce his demands to writing (which would’ve left a paper trail, don’t you see).

Instead, Painter was simply fired and SMG got its permit. Of course, it was mere coincidence that the Benson family, SMG, its law firm, Southern Eagle and members of the LSED Board had combined to dump more than $207,000 into Jindal’s campaigns between 2002 and 2012.

Quick as the Jindal crowd was to administer justice (read reprisals) in the Painter case, it was painfully slow in ferreting out reports of corruption in one of the largest agencies in the state—the Department of Transportation and Development—and even slower in addressing those reports with the proper corrective measures. The fact is, nothing was ever done about reports of attempted shakedowns of a DOTD contractor and the subsequent harassment of that same contractor that eventually put him out of business.

It turned out to be an expensive oversight on the state’s part.

On Friday, a 12-person jury returned a unanimous verdict in which it awarded Jeff Mercer of Mangham $20 million, plus eight years (and counting) of judicial interest for allowing DOTD supervisors to condone demands of cash and equipment from Mercer by a DOTD inspector (we call that extortion where I come from; the inspector allegedly threatened Mercer with inspection problems with his work). Moreover, Mercer was able to prove that DOTD deliberately withheld payments for work performed by Mercer as payback for his whistleblowing, first reported by LouisianaVoice in April of 2012. https://louisianavoice.com/2014/04/09/contractor-claims-in-lawsuit-that-dotd-official-attempted-shake-down-for-cash-equipment-during-monroe-work/

Story of attempted contractor shakedown broken 2 years ago by LouisianaVoice results in $20 million verdict against state

Mercer had even taken his complaint to the governor’s office, but nothing was ever done. No referral to the Inspector General’s office. The IG, by the way, works directly for and answers only to the governor and was prompt enough to bring charges against Painter three years ago.

So, the question must be asked: why was the governor’s office not front and center in taking appropriate action on reports of extortion, threats of federal prosecution against Mercer, and refusals to pay for work performed by him?

Why was the demand for compliance so urgent in the Painter case and the concern so lacking in the Mercer case?

To paraphrase Jindal: two words.

Campaign contributions.

Benson, SMG, and members of the LSED Board were major Jindal campaign contributors. Mercer was not.

Benson and his associates were friends of Jindal and as such, they possessed massive political power that the governor could not ignore—nor did he wish to.

Mercer was a small contractor from the small North Louisiana town of Mangham, situated about halfway between Winnsboro and Rayville—and smaller than each of those. He was not influential.

He was, they thought, an insignificant little nobody who could be ignored because he had neither the influence nor the political muscle to make himself heard over the rattle of dinner plates at the governor’s mansion or over the lofty, self-serving campaign rhetoric about Jindal’s gold standard of ethics.

The administration, it turns out, committed the worst tactical error possible in warfare and politics: it vastly underestimated the determination of a little man when he is truly pissed and it woefully underestimated the indignation and ire of a 12-person jury upon their hearing of the injustice heaped upon one of their own by an uncaring bureaucracy and of the unscrupulous actions of those within that same bureaucracy.

And boy, does it ever feel good when the underdog wins one!

 

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