LouisianaVoice submitted public records request for documents to confirm allegations of payroll fraud. We received a letter of suspension and investigation file on Lieutenant Paul Brady. Brady was issued a 24 hour suspension for violating the code of conduct and ethics. The disciplinary action was in relation to allegations reported to LouisianaVoice of supervisors padding time sheets. The proper time for the day in question was eight hours. Brady was suspended for adding hours or instructing Troopers to add hours.
Integrity among the rank and file
One Trooper interviewed reported he submitted a timesheet with 8 hours and it was changed without his knowledge by Brady to 12 hours.
Two other Troopers reportedly told Brady they worked 8 and 9 hours and Brady told them it was a 12 hour day and instructed them to put 12 hours on the time sheets.
One Trooper admitted to IA he was concerned with claiming 12 hours since he did not work 12 hours. The Trooper reported he discussed it with other Troopers so they spoke to Brady on speaker phone who told them to claim 12 hours.
One Trooper told IA Brady tried coaching him on what to say if someone asked about the time. The Trooper reportedly informed Brady that he was not going to lie.
All these examples are a good reason to remind the public that LSP is full of honest Troopers who want to do the right thing. They have refused to be corrupted by those responsible for their supervision. This should also serve as a reminder for supervisors who mistakenly believe Troopers support unethical practices. They do not.
History of lack of supervision
Brady is the same supervisor who has yet to be held accountable for the actions of recently terminated Trooper Ronald Picou. Brady also supervised Trooper Jimmy Rogers who resigned amid the investigations. We have requested the documents in relation to Rogers’ resignation.
Pertinent aspects overlooked
The letter of suspension states, “You signed the above timesheets knowing that they had worked less hours. You signed the above described biweekly timesheets knowing that the hours related to the firearms transition were not accurate.”
It is the opinion of LouisianaVoice that the investigation file supports a finding of criminal wrongdoing; payroll fraud.
Brady reported he instructed his Troopers to claim the amount of time they actually worked. This contradicts the statements of many Troopers under his supervision. There was no apparent investigation into Brady’s being dishonest. IA investigators proved he was dishonest. If his statement to claim actual time were considered truthful, he could not have been punished.
One witness reported Brady attempted to coach him on what to say if he was asked about claiming 12 hours. The Trooper was asked by Brady why he claimed 12 hours and he said it was because Brady told him to. In an apparent effort to quell a successful investigation, Brady asked if he owed him some time from prior pay periods and suggested he probably did.
The Trooper reported, “LT Brady then told (redacted) that if he was asked about his time, he should say he was owed time from a prior pay period”. The Trooper asked who he was referring to and told Brady he was not going to lie. This appears to be an effort to cover up the allegations. The aspect of interfering with an IA investigation does not appear to have been addressed in the investigation file.
Sources indicate ousted Troop D Commander Captain Chris Guillory knew about the discrepancies and took no corrective action. This is one of the many areas this investigation failed to look at. One thing has held true. Captain Guillory is untouchable when it comes to investigation and discipline regardless of the level of incompetence.
Thanks to the Troopers of Troop D
The majority of personnel at Troop D have shown they are above reproach even in the face of pressure from supervision. Many other supervisors at Troop D have demonstrated the same level of integrity. Their commander has been removed. We are told the practices allowed by the prior administration have been put to a stop. We are sorry you have endured such scrutiny but fully respect your resolve in facing tough decisions. You have held yourselves to the standards expected of public servants even without being required to do so.
Louisiana Voice 
Just like they say once you make captain with the state police you are God and God is the only one that can do what he wants to do..
Why was LT Wesmoreland demoted and threatened with termination forcing him to retire and this person only got a slap on the wrist?
Yet another example of Edmonson rewarding “Bad Boy” behavior rather than ridding the organization of these cancers. Apparently Edmonson is a timid man that wants to project an image of being a “Tough Guy” or himself as a “Bad Boy and therefore not only tolerates but actively kindles an association with real “Bad Boys.” That makes him an unfit leader and destroys the effectiveness of the entire organization.
The time for Governor Edwards to replace Edmonson is long overdue.
Well, let us look at some of the reprisals that LSP has mounted against those who refused to play in Guillory’s corruption. Those Troopers are labeled and stigmatized for doing the right thing, yet Edmonson has maintained his position on protecting Guillory. it is soon coming time for hostile work environment complaints to address these problems.
The sad thing is, State Tax dollars will be spent defending this poor leadership and corruption!
Tom, those troopers who refused to go along with Brady’s scheme are serving our state for the right reasons. And now that Brady has endured this “terrible punishment”, you can be sure he is going after every trooper that he felt betrayed him to IA. It is bad enough having to watch your back on the street, but now these troopers have to watch their back from within the agency. And why Brady hasn’t been charged with payroll fraud is incomprehensible!
This reminds me of the story of Cinderella. You have Cinderella (Devoted, honest, loyal, hardworking ethical troopers being unjustly oppressed, bullied and demoralized) by the evil stepmother (Colonel Mike Edmondson) and the evil step sisters (Major Beckett Breaux (Chris Guillory’s immediate supervisor), Chris Guillory, Lt. Waylon Busby and Lt. Paul Brady). I know there were only two evil stepsisters but LSP is a big family. Then you have Gus the mouse (Tom Aswell-your not really a mouse but just for the story) trying to draw attention to Cinderella’s plight and tries to help them find freedom from their oppression. We are waiting for Prince Charming (Govenor John Bel. Edwards) to step up and take Cinderella away from the evil stepmother and sisters and bring LSP (Cinderella) back to the values she always had.