Could it be that Gov. John Bel Edwards has finally seen and heard enough about the shenanigans of Louisiana State Police (LSP) Superintendent Mike Edmonson?
Has he been embarrassed one too many times by the state’s top cop who was foisted on him by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police?
If the tone of this NOLA.com STORY by Julia O’Donoghue Wednesday (Feb. 22) is any indication, Edmonson’s days at LSP may indeed be numbered.
Edwards earlier this week ordered auditors from the Division of Administration (DOA) to conduct an investigation into a trip taken by a gaggle of LSP personnel and hangers-on to witness Edmonson receive an award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) at its conference in San Diego.
Of particular interest to Edwards was the expenditure of thousands of dollars in salaries, overtime, fuel, lodging and meals for four State Troopers who drove an unmarked State Police vehicle assigned to Edmonson’s second-in-command to the event. That trek included a side trip to and overnight stays in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Three of the four combined to claim 105 hours of overtime on the trip to and from San Diego, figures that appear far out of line with the distances traveled.
For example, each of the four claimed 12 hours to travel from the Grand Canyon resort city of Tusayan, Arizona, to Las Vegas, a distance of only 270 miles, a torrid pace of 22.5 mph. They also claimed 12 hours to drive from Las Vegas to San Diego, a trip of only 290 miles. For that leg of the journey, they put the petal to the metal, averaging a scorching 24 mph.
Can you say payroll fraud?
Maj. Derrell Williams did not claim overtime hours because those of the rank of captain or above are prohibited from claiming overtime. He did, however, claim compensatory leave time for the same hours.
While investigators’ focus will apparently be on the overtime charged by the four and the reasons for their side trip, there are several other aspects of the entire San Diego affair that should be considered:
- Why was the original award nomination of Maj. Carl Saizan, a former State Trooper of the Year, pulled in favor of Edmonson?
- Why was it necessary for so many State Police personnel to accompany Edmonson on this trip?
- Why was Michelle Hyatt, the wife of Lt. Rodney Hyatt and a civilian non-LSP employee, allowed to accompany her husband in the State Police Ford Expedition on that cross-country trip? (The Expedition, by the way, is permanently assigned to Edmonson’s second-in-command, Deputy Superintendent Lt. Col. Charles Dupuy.
- Why was part-time student worker Brandon Blackburn paid 53.5 hours for attending the conference? And why was Brandon Blackburn, the son of the late Frank Blackburn, formerly the LSP legal counsel, allowed to travel to the conference on his father’s ticket?
- Finally, since each of the 15 LSP personnel who accompanied Edmonson on the trip, were on the clock and were paid for attending the conference, how many of those personnel actually attended conference sessions for which they charged the state?
LouisianaVoice made inquiry of IACP for attendance lists for the various sessions but we received the expected response: “We do not provide attendance records or make any information about our attendees publicly available.”
Of course, the DOA investigation is barely underway so it’ll be some time yet before any determination is made regarding Edmonson’s future.
One LouisianaVoice reader made an interesting observation when he said in an email to us this morning that the LSP superintendent’s position “is a job needing turnover every so often to avoid a J. Edgar Hoover situation.”
But should the governor decide that Edmonson has embarrassed his administration one too many times and that he must go, it’s crucial that he make the correct choice in selecting a successor—and not listen to the sheriffs and chiefs of police. He—and this is critical—must be his own man in making that decision.
If he simply drops down the chain of command a notch and names Dupuy, Lt. Col. Jason Starnes, or Maj. Beckett Breaux, nothing will have changed and LouisianaVoice will be guaranteed an uninterrupted flow of stories from Independence Boulevard.
Louisiana Voice 
Stuff like this happens all the time in every department. It’s exactly why we don’t need to increase taxes. Cut the budget across the board. Stop paying these crooks exorbitant Salaries. Stop paying for this BS. Cut. Cut. Cut.
It’s time for JBE to start acting like the man he campaigned to be.
I agree 100% with both your points, fairness2014. Firing a few people for corruption will not fix anything because there will always be more cockroaches who scuttle in to replace them. The total number of management positions needs to be cut in half. And that’s true in every department, not just LSP. I can’t tell you how many meetings I’ve been to at LSU where some VP of something or other making a quarter million per year comes in with their entourage of minions, and they proceed to tell us how they have spent the past year working on this or that ridiculous project that could have been done much better by a couple of competent people in half the time. Of course, it takes these parasites longer because they have to go to conferences in NYC and LA several times per year to prove to themselves what special little snowflakes they are. The management bloat in higher ed is enormous. The salary inflation just as bad. And the corruption outrageous. Check the travel records of people at LSU making six figures and you’ll find a lot worse than at LSP.
My hope is that JBE (along with other elected officials) may finally be realizing he has to hold his appointees accountable for every instance of waste and/or corruption and that not doing so will, as evidenced by fairness2014’s [not atypical] comment above, doom us to never having a fair and progressive/responsive tax OR spending system, particularly as the battle of sheer partisanship exhibited during the just-ended special session continues – that battle is a little lower-key here than at the national level, but it is clearly there.
If you look at who pays the majority of all taxes, you will quickly see that it IS progressive. Someone that spent their career in state government should realize that.
And yes..I’m comfortable completely eliminating the BILLIONS in corporate welfare we dole out. The taxes I pay go to give big business a credit.
I guess I momentarily forgot that wherever you spent your career, you already know everything. Sorry.
Well said Stephen.
Thanks, Fredster.
I thought we had an Inspector General’s office to handle this type of situation. Oh wait, we do. Why not actually use them for this case if Governor John Bel Edwards actually wants this handled properly?
Maybe that was the reason he didn’t assign it to the IG. 🙂
I had that same question when this first came up. If newspaper reports are to be read literally, a single auditor who works for the DOA is doing the forensics on this. Back in the olden days, the DOA had a small unit of auditors with this kind of responsibility, but that staff was folded into the Office of Inspector General when it was created under Gov. Roemer.
I was going to say the exact same thing.
That’s the ONE thing I’ll praise JBE for. The absolute worst thing he could have done is involved Street: http://www.soundoffla.com/?p=561.
Edwards deserves credit for not calling upon Street’s office for anything. Smartest thing he can do is follow Corey delaHoussaye’s guidance: http://www.soundoffla.com/?p=311.
Chalk up one smart move by JBE.
I will say this again. Mike Edmonson was suspended from the force many years ago for payroll fraud. I knew of Mike when he first joined the force, we lived close to each other when we both were in HS. I’m guessing he would have been suspended sometime in the early to mid 80’s. If this isn’t available via FOIA it would be available via the Advocate.
You are correct. He was suspended and given a reduction in rank but he appealed and the reduction in rank was overturned. It was for altering his time sheet but that was overturned by Civil Service on the technicality that it could have been an honest mistake.
Given what we know about him now, however, and how he never seems willing to assume responsibility for his actions….
Speaking of important technicalities, it is absolutely imperative that JBE and the people working on the investigation read the Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights at the BEGINNING of the investigation before they ask Edmonson any questions. There are important provisions about notifying him he is under investigation, recording all interviews, and completing the investigation within a specific time frame. The penalty for failing to follow this law to the letter? Any penalty or disciplinary action shall be “an absolute nullify.” This is specific to peace officers, and outside auditors with the DOA may not be familiar with it if dealing with police is not a normal thing for them. See RS 40:2531.
State53 you are correct about the Police Officer Bill of Rights regarding Administrative Investigations. However, I would hope at this point, this matter is criminal in the form of Theft, Payroll Fraud and Malfeasance.
Tom, those you named above wouldn’t be ethically sound as a next Superintendent. However, there are still some solid upper brass there that always seem to do what is right in the names of LTC David Staton, and LTC Adam White. Both fine men respected by the rank and file with impeccable character.
Well said and I concur regarding Lt. Col Adam White. He is well respected, and as far as I know of the highest integrity and would represent the agency well. David too perhaps. The rest. Just more of the same.
Everyone always looks at the top of the chain for replacements, if change takes place. It’s obvious just because you make it to the top doesn’t mean you are fit for the job. The real leaders and ethically sound employees tend to be in mid to lower management, these institutions do not rate ethics, morals, and common sense non self-serving individuals highly when it comes to overall advancement. How bout the employees submit nominees and let them do the nominations. If everyone is not aware; the entire institution is in utter collapse. What should scare he masses is this is the organization that investigates others and finds them at guilt; while they bask in engaging in the same crimes…..As a retiree, I have no fight in the game, but Nothing in this kingdom happens without the King knowing and approving. Did these guys pick pocket the keys. And if the would have crashed the car, how would they explain it…….
He’s unclassified and as such is not protected by Civil Service. Also, doesn’t he serve at the pleasure of the governor? If so, and I believe I’m correct, the governor can terminate him at any time. That’s probably the only punishment that will be handed down anyway.
I concur. Additionally, I shall add an analogy. Supposed a judge was found to be “on the hook”, or racist, religiously intolerant, misogynist, and well the list goes on. How can one ever have faith that say past judgement’s were not founded and adjudicated with proper due process and true jurisprudence? The same applies here. If said troopers were committing theft, payroll fraud, malfeasance in office (esp the Capt of IA), then how can the cvilian citizens of LA ever be able to have faith that arrests, investigations, IA proceedings, and subsequent firings, suspensions, arrests, convictions, etc are now valid? The utter arrogance and smugness to complete a timesheet with such fraudulent entries, take these side stops, operate a state vehicle with a non state employee (she takes photos of said trip and POSTS THEM ON FACEBOOK) just speaks to how the current LSP Mafia operates and have gotten away with for so long.
There’s PLENTY of problems in other state agencies beyond LSP (Cosmetology Board, Dentistry Board, Medical Board, Auctioneer’s Board, Interior Design Board, etc.). The problem is too many people are concerned ONLY with an agency with which they’re directly affiliated or has adversely affected them in some way. Until people become willing to be involved in other folks’ causes and all join together for collectively-large crowds whenever ANY of these agencies have legislative initiatives, NOTHING is going to change.
Everyone place a mark on the wall. I am about to pay a small compliment to JBE, which is exceedingly rare. AT LEAST he was smart enough NOT to task IG Stephen Street’s office with anything on this matter. THAT, I can PROMISE you, would have resulted in a totally botched investigation for which more lawsuits would have ensued, and we’d have a bigger mess than we have now. Being blunt, I trust the internal investigation more than I would trust any initiative in which Stephen Street or his office personnel is involved.
Another area the public could look at regarding Edmonson’s promotion of cronies and waste of tax dollars. Compare the number of upper management positions of the rank of Majors and Lieutenant Colonels that existed before Edmonson became Superintendent. Combine the number of positions increased (nearly doubled) along with the enormous salary increases for those ranks averaging 40%.
All this occurred in the last nine years while every other State Agency was undergoing budget cuts, staff reductions, and program elimination.
This is what happens when someone in power like Edmonson empowers himself and the LSP using the public’s money by doing favors for Sheriff’s, Chiefs, D.A.’s and Legislators and now they all owe him.
Can you tell us how indebted Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards may be to him? Does that indebtedness determine whether his brother John Bel keeps taking political body blow after body blow from Edmonson? How much was any indebtedness from Daniel to the Colonel a factor in John Bell’s eagerness to re-appointed him problematic past notwithstanding? Inquiring minds want to know!!
What’s also disturbing to me is that while these higher ranking Troopers are receiving such large salary increases, none of the civilian LSP support staff, nor have OMV staff, rank and file Fire Marshall have recv’d any increases. And of note, these large increases in salary are not only current budget concerns, but will eventually add exponentially to the pensions paid out after retirement (even more waste and burden on the LA tax payers). Many of these hard working men and women barely make about minimum wage to start out. So in summary, HQ1 is ONLY protecting his upper echelon troopers, and NOT the entire Department which should also be in his care.
Patrol Troopers in the last year and a half received 30% pay increase! Also up until all this came to light they were looking at getting another 8% in June!
Nothing Specific for Sheriff Edwards, as I did not work that area. I am now retired, because I couldn’t stomach the corruption any longer. A lot of it dealt with jobs, promotions, and investigations these political influentials would stick their noses in. I can’t get more specific because they will come after my current employment and my family. That is how they operate, just like the mob.
Tom, If the you/media/governor really wants to have DOA look into the payroll anomalies / fraud, they need to be directed to personnel payroll and expenses “paid” to troopers working the legislative session. Without removing those in command at HQ including Maj Breaux, this will remain commonplace. It really is worse than people know or even think.
Makes you wonder who approved these guys enormous salary increases? Seriously? Wouldn’t that be payroll fraud? State employees haven’t received a merit increase in almost seven to eight years. How can the Governor give Colonel a raise when his salary is determined by the Legislators? Especially when there is an executive order regarding merit increase or performance adjustments. I heard he gave the Lt Colonels an increase and it wasn’t even approved by their civil service. What a joke! The colonel receives free housing, a vehicle, credit card for meals. Now it appears personal vacations. Sick of it. Remove him and his entourage.
I have personally witnessed the Illustrious Colonel back his state owned SUV to the back of the cafeteria and load it up with food and drinks and unload at his residence. If that wasn’t enough, his kids were allowed to do the same. I witnessed it because I was assigned to HQ as my assigned shift.
Yes, I believe this. I’ve also heard of staff on the compound witnessing trustees walking his dogs.
Oh, and the trustees also do the family’s laundry….wash, dry, fold and put away. The is common knowledge among LSP staff.
I am going to attach a video of myself and the OIG. I’m asking to give me your thoughts by grading the chances 0 to 10 that you believe there was any sort of investigation in the matter that I reported to his office.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_GwOajPDWmY&feature=youtu.be
And I know no one likes to clean house but I would think that now would be a good time for the Governor to do a spring cleaning.
I believe it’s time for the Governor to cut ties with the Jindal Administration,
It seems that there is law-enforcement etc. that have made comments on this blog. So my question to them is after reviewing this video below could you tell me how in the world or in Louisiana can the State Police do an “investigation”, on a complaint made in regards to GOHSEP/FEMA Fraud and the DA say there was no wrongdoing. When the detective with the State Police clearly states: “Anything about the possible FEMA fraud we’re not going to discuss that OK.”
Did taxpayers also pay for the spouses to fly to San Diego as well? Did any of the ones that flew claim any OT? So if all this really matters then why is that LSP Troopers have full personal use of their patrol units? That as well is using taxpayer monies. What happens if an off duty trooper is involved in a accident while in a marked unit I guess taxpayers would have to cover for that lawsuit as well.
First of all, those who drove were not in a marked unit; they were in an unmarked unit as I wrote in several posts. Nevertheless, had they been involved in an accident—and at fault—the state would have been liable.
As for the spouses, they (and girlfriends who went) paid their own way—except for the trooper’s wife who rode in the unmarked unit. Obviously, she did not pay for her transportation or lodging.
What about Starnes girlfriend who is an OMV employee? Did she take annual leave for the trip, which would have been outside of her work duties? She probably did however. I understand she’s a rule follower and actually is a good employee.
Wow: All this discussion is for naught. Didn’t I read in the newspapers, last week, JBE took the Colonel to Rome to meet with the Pope. Make me wonder if they got forgiveness of all sins while speaking with him.
If you only read it last week, you had an old newspaper. The Rome trip was several weeks before the story of the San Diego trip broke.
But yes, it has seemed that the governor is somewhat enamored with Edmonson for whatever reason. But political realities may dictate that the two part ways.