A couple of reports, unconfirmed to this point, have been swirling about concerning the ongoing investigation into that San Diego trip taken by State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson and 16 or so subordinates, including the four who went by state vehicle via Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Altogether, the jaunt cost Louisiana taxpayers more than $73,000.
But there also are confirmed developments that might have raised some concern on the part of those who want to see an unbiased investigation that will lead to appropriate action on the part of Gov. John Bel Edwards. It seems, however, that initial concern has been defused.
First, the unsubstantiated reports that, while lacking official confirmation, come from those close to the investigation who are considered reliable.
- Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office is said to have begun an investigation on its own, separate and apart from that of the governor’s office. A spokesperson for the AG said that could be neither confirmed nor denied. “Our office has a policy of not commenting on such matters so as not to compromise any investigation it may be conducting,” she said.
- Another well-placed source said the FBI is also conducting an investigation of Edmonson and LSP, though Edmonson earlier denied any such investigation. Our source of that story said he initially provided information to the FBI but now that the agency’s investigation is underway, he has not been involved in further dialog with agents.
Conspicuously absent is any report that the Office of Inspector General, that fiercely independent investigative agency, has undertaken any effort to look into possible criminal wrongdoing at LSP. That could, of course, be because OIG isn’t as independent of the governor’s office as it likes to claim.
It likewise would be reassuring if East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore initiated a grand jury investigation or at least weighed in if for no other reason than to say he was taking a wait and see approach to the governor’s investigation. After all, any crime committed in the East Baton Rouge Parish falls under his jurisdiction.
The two unconfirmed reports aside, LouisianaVoice has learned that Mark Falcon, an attorney for the Division of Administration (DOA), is assisting DOA auditors in their investigation of LSP. Richard Carbo, communications director for the governor’s office, said, “He is not the lead investigator; he is assisting the auditors in their work.”
Mark Falcon did, however, assauge concerns when he offered full disclosure in informing Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne that he is the brother of Floyd Falcon, legal counsel for the Louisiana State Troopers Association (LSTA), the lobbying arm of LSP.
It was LouisianaVoice’s story about the LSTA’s practice of laundering illegal campaign contributions through the personal bank account of its executive director David Young more than a year ago that prompted Floyd Falcon to refer to me as “a chronic complainer,” a characterization that has likely only intensified in his mind, given the manner in which the LSP saga has played out thus far.
But Mark Falcon’s voluntary disclosure of his relationship with Floyd Falcon and the manner in which he presented it is encouraging and provides optimism that the DOA investigation will be complete and above-board.
That is particularly important because two of those who took that trip to San Diego had their travel and lodging expenses on the trip picked up by the LSTA. Only the meals for Trooper Alexandr Nezgodinsky, a native of San Diego, and Lt. Stephen Lafargue were paid for by the state. Several others who made the trip are also LSTA members but had their expenses paid by the state.
In another development, LouisianaVoice received a rather dubious response to a public records requests regarding other trips Edmonson took to receive various awards.
Here is a copy of our request:
From: Tom Aswell
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 3:55 PM
To: ‘Michele Giroir’; ‘Doug Cain’
Subject: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
Pursuant to LA. R.S. 44.1 (et seq.), I hereby submit my formal request for the opportunity to review all travel records, including airfare, other travel, lodging, meals, registration fees and any and all other expenses incurred by all personnel (by name) who attended the presentation of any and all of the below awards bestowed upon Col. Mike Edmonson:
- FBI Washington DC, Top 25 Police Administrators Award, 2009;
- Sheriff Buford Pusser National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, 2013;
- Human Trafficking, Faces of Hope Award, 2013
- Inner City Entrepreneur (ICE) Institute—Top Cop Award, 2013
- American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Martha Irwin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Highway Safety, 2014
- New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Captain Katz Lifetime Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Safety, 2015.
Also, please provide me with the opportunity to review:
- all travel records, including airfare, other travel, lodging, meals, registration fees and any and all other expenses incurred by all personnel (by name) who attended the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual conventions/conferences in Destin/Sandestin, Florida for the years 2008 through 2016;
- all travel records, including airfare, other travel, lodging, meals, registration fees and any and all other expenses incurred by all personnel (by name) who attended the Washington (D.C.) Mardi Gras festivities for the years 2008 through 2017;
- all travel records, including airfare, other travel, lodging, meals, registration fees and any and all other expenses incurred by all personnel (by name) who attended the New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities for the years 2008 through 2016 (exclusive of security details assigned to the event).
Here is the response I received yesterday (Monday, March 6):
From: Michele Giroir
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2017 8:12 AM
To: Tom Aswell
Cc: Doug Cain; JB Slaton; Faye Morrison
Subject: RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
Mr. Aswell, in partial response to your below public records request, I have been advised that LSP does not maintain any records relating to travel expenses, etc., for attendance at the presentation of the following awards bestowed upon Col. Mike Edmonson:
- FBI Washington DC, Top 25 Police Administrators Award, 2009;
- Sheriff Buford Pusser National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, 2013;
- Human Trafficking, Faces of Hope Award, 2013
- Inner City Entrepreneur (ICE) Institute –Top Cop Award, 2013
- New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Captain Katz Lifetime Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Safety, 2015
The remaining requests are still being handling and further responses will be forthcoming.
Any questions that you may have should be addressed to Major Doug Cain.
With kindest professional regards, I am,
Sincerely,
Michele M. Giroir
Attorney Supervisor
Not complete sold on that explanation, I emailed Cain:
“Doug, I find it inconceivable that LSP has no record of expenses for these trips. Is it the position that LSP keeps no such records or are you saying no expenses were incurred?”
His response? “No expenses.”
“Not even for those who went with him?” I wrote back (because we know by now he rarely travels alone).
“No sir,” he responded.
So the bottom line is we are being asked to believe that Edmonson, who packed 15 of his people off to San Diego, all of whom combined to run up expenses of more than $73,000, including salaries and travel, lodging and meal expenses, either took no one with him on the other trips and he didn’t consume any meals on his trips or perhaps he took traveling companions, none of whom spent a dime of state funds.
Either scenario requires a leap of faith to believe.
(To be incredulously continued.)
Maybe Edmondson’s other trips were paid for by the LSTA and that the members were informed of this just like the political contributions were made known to the membership. Or he had a generous sponsor pick up the tabs for those trips. Maybe that’s why there are no expense accounts. Does Doug Caine have someone following him around with a fire extinguisher when he makes these comments? You know-liar liar pants on fire!
It would appear a lot of resources are being used in this investigation. Unfortunately, it also appears it could drag on, and on, and on, and on, and … I wonder if anybody is on a deadline here?
It will drag on and on and it needs to. Any solid investigation that is going to stand up against the best defense attorneys in the state (e.g. MIke Fawer) has to be SOLID or it will become a public embarrassment to prosecutors in open court, which is EXACTLY what happened in the Murphy Painter case.
As for Street, he’s the LAST person anyone should want involved in any investigation! At least Edwards was smart enough to recognize Street’s credibility is nonexistent from his repeated episodes of caving and catering to whatever findings sought by (or directives given by) Bobby Jindal. Leaving Street out is smart on everyone’s part.
I’m just going to throw this out there. Did anybody check the legitimacy of the awards? That could also be a reason there were no expenses.
Does Doug Cain understand that in prison he is not going to fare well with fellow inmates that don’t have the highest regard for LSP? Doug Cain must not be very bright. Lying for Edmonson? Now that’s just dumb. Watch out for busses Doug. Edmonson will throw you under it like all the others.
Great job Tom!!! Another of the Jindal untouchables getting investigated! Imagine that!!
Take care, Brette
Sent from my iPhone
>
Agree totally. How Edwards could have thought he could hang on to as much hog slop from the Jindal years and somehow keep slop from getting all over him is a huge mystery to me!
ONLY IN LOUISIANA!
Tom, PLEASE make public ANY material you find on the Human Trafficking, Faces of Hope Award for 2013!!!
Rev. Freddie Lee Phillips and I used to be touted as “the greatest auctioneers in America” for our fundraising skills for Trafficking Hope. Then, I gave a deposition in which I was openly asked if I voted for Bobby Jindal (question posed by Larry S. Bankston).
The court reporter was Elaine Edmonson (Mike’s wife).. Sworn to tell the truth, I responded, “I voted for him in the year he lost, 2003, and as is so often the case with me in elections for Governor of Louisiana, he lost.” Bankston then asked, “Well, did you vote for him in 2007 or 2011 when he won?” I responded, “Absolutely not!” [By that time I’d seen enough of “motor mouth” as a U. S. Congressman to know he would be a disaster if put in charge of Louisiana — I voted for Walter Boasso in 2007 and Tara Hollis in 2011].
Well, Elaine Edmonson heard every word (even had to take it all down and transcribe it). Guess what? Rev. Phillips and I went from “the greatest auctioneers in America” to not even being contacted for the next annual auction after my deposition.
If anyone would like to see these folk bragging on us BEFORE the deposition, here’s a link for videos of it:
http://www.auctioneer-la.org/freddie_phillips.htm
So, I’d LOVE to see who paid for that 2013 award’s expenses, Tom, and I’m sure Rev. Phillips would as well!!
Well Tom, only time will tell where Justice lies in all this. I would like to see all agencies named “Do The Right Thing”. But unfortunately, had it not been for you and other Investigative Reporters bringing this to light it would have been just another “Cover Up” and ” Let Us Burn ” The Whistle Blowers at LSP.
Wake Up Louisiana! Drain The Swamp!
Is the LSTA that corrupt ?
I get a donation envelope in the mail from LSTA, is this money going to Edmonson ?
While Edmonson does exert significant influence over the LSTA (he denies this), none of the money goes directly to him. What the LSTA spends on trips for him, his immediate staff and family, however, is unknown. It is believed that he does receive at least some indirect financial support from LSTA.
The individual members are not corrupt. They are the road troopers who put their lives on the line to maintain highway safety and to try and stem the flow of drugs along the major interstate corridors. It is the officers and directors who made the decision to make the political contributions.
I would agree to say some are. Falsifying time on Lace tickets to make your time look like you worked 12 hours or however many hours they claimed to have worked. That’s payroll fraud as well. Some were actually suspended from working it for a while. But also this never made the news either!
Surprised that no records could be found. Some sections of LSP must keep records for five years before they are allowed to be destroyed.
Okay I’m trying to figure this one out.
If LSP doesn’t have the expense forms then La Troopers Association must have them. If neither of them have them well then that raises many more questions. There is a paper trail. So Mr. Aswell would you please request this info from the Association? Thank you in advance.
LSTA is a private entity and not subject to the public records laws. LSP has the records; they’re just playing word games so that I have to word my requests just so. Accordingly, I have resubmitted my requests to conform to their required semantics.
Thank you! We as tax payers are glad to have people like you. Scared this is all gonna get washed under the table.
Mr. Winham is correct. Tom, you have all of the evidence re the Las Vegas, what is there to investigate?? The travel to get an award for previous years under Jindal?? love always ronthompson
Yes. I’m examining all travel by the department. If funds were wasted on this trip, who’s to say they weren’t wasted on others?
Tom, try this…
Any and all travel and expense reports filed for May 2013. There were no less than six and probably more who attended the Inner City Entrepreneur ICE, Top Cop award at the Horseshoe Casino in Shreveport, LA.