When Monica Manzella showed up for her first meeting of the Louisiana State Police Commission (LSPC) last November, she received a warm greeting and a hug from State Police Lieutenant Rodney Hyatt.
We were curious how they knew each other so well. It was, after all, her first meeting.
Hyatt, other than his state trooper duties, also was—and still is—President of the Headquarters Chapter of the Louisiana State Police Association (LSTA). Click HERE. He is also one of the four troopers who drove a state vehicle to San Diego via the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas last October to cheer on and party with their boss, then-State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson as he received a national award.
Manzella, appointed to the LSPC last October, was an assistant city attorney for the City of New Orleans and had, as part of her duties, signed off on Local Agency Compensated Enforcement (LACE) contracts between the City of New Orleans and Louisiana State Police (LSP). Under LACE, state police are paid by the local district attorney to help beef up traffic enforcement. Some characterized her work on the contracts and her appointment to the commission as a possible conflict of interest but she dismissed that concern out of hand.
Other than his position as headquarters chapter president of LSTA and her signing off on LACE contracts, there was no apparent connection or any obvious reason why the two would be on such friendly terms at her very first meeting.
But thanks to the wife of retired state trooper Leon “Bucky” Millet of Lake Arthur, a connection that appears a little more than casual has been discovered.
Bucky Millet first set the stage a year ago at the LSPC meeting of August 11, 2016, when he filed a formal complaint about the manner in which LSPC members were supposed to be appointed and the manner in which those requirements were being ignored.
[Please keep in mind that LSPC is the Louisiana State Police Commission, which rules on appeals of troopers subjected to discipline and LSTA is the private, non-profit association comprised of active and (some) retired state troopers as members. Some retirees have been expelled from the LSTA for questioning certain activities. The two, LSPC and LSTA, are completely separate entities.]
In his complaint, Millet referenced Article X, Part IV, Section 43(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 which stipulates the following:
- The presidents of Centenary College at Shreveport, Dillard University at New Orleans, Louisiana College at Pineville, Loyola University at New Orleans, Tulane University of Louisiana at New Orleans, and Xavier University at New Orleans, after giving consideration to representation of all groups, each shall nominate three persons. The governor shall appoint one member of the commission from the three persons nominated by each president. One member of the commission shall be elected by the classified state police officers of the state from their number as provided by law. A vacancy for any cause shall be filled by appointment or election in accordance with the procedure or law governing the original appointment or election, and from the same source. Within thirty days after a vacancy occurs, the president concerned shall submit the required nominations. Within thirty days thereafter, the governor shall make his appointment. If the governor fails to appoint within thirty days, the nominee whose name is first on the list of nominees automatically shall become a member of the commission. If any nominating authority fails to submit nominees in the time required, or if one of the named institutions ceases to exist, the governor shall make the appointment to the commission.
LouisianaVoice had earlier made a public records requests for any such letters of nominations from the university presidents. Only a single letter from Centenary College President Kenneth Schwab to then-Gov. Mike Foster dated Jan. 15, 2003, was provided.
For the full story of just how dysfunctional the LSPC was at that meeting, click HERE.
So, when Manzella was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards two months later, was that procedure finally followed? Well, yes and most probably not so much.
Thanks to Vivian Millet’s extensive Internet search, we now know that Lt. Hyatt and Manzella had their own history, dating back to March of 2016.
It seems that both Hyatt and Manzella were among 28 attendees from across the U.S. who earned their security Master of Arts degrees in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) in Monterey, California, on March 25.
The CHDS curriculum is an 18-month master’s degree program in homeland security.
Click HERE to see the press release and to see a class photo of the proud graduates. It’s a rather small photo, so here’s a little help with the identities: Hyatt is on the far right in the front row in complete Louisiana State Police uniform and Manzella is behind him and to his right, in the red top.
Which brings us to the question of how she got her appointment to LSPC.
She obtained her J.D. in Law from Loyola University of New Orleans in 2005 (click HERE). Loyola could have been expected to nominate one of its alumni—if it had been asked to do so.
That certainly makes sense. But it didn’t go down that way and with Hyatt in a key position with the LSTA and with LSTA the subject of what the LSPC attempted to pass off as an ongoing “investigation” of its illegal campaign contributions funneled through the personal bank account of the LSTA executive director, the stage was certainly set for a little politicking on her behalf. LSTA needed desperately to stack the commission with members friendly to the LSTA who would lend comfort and support to LSPC Chairman, State Trooper T.J. Doss and other like-minded members.
So, did Hyatt and the LSTA exert a little friendly persuasion to secure a seat on the commission for Manzella? Did they engage in a little back channel diplomacy in order to wrangle the appointment of a member guaranteed to be friendly to the LSTA?
Given the outcome of that investigation by Natchitoches attorney Taylor Townsend, who still has yet to provide a written report of his findings as required by his $75,000 contract and despite repeated demands that he do so, it would seem the Manzella—and subsequent—appointments have paid off handsomely for the LSTA. She has been everything LSTA could want—and more, as she moved from new member to vice chairman of the commission in a matter of just a few months while voting the LSTA line.
Which only underscores the necessity of at most, abolishing the LSPC and to put a constitutional amendment before voters to bring LSP under State Civil Service as it once was or at least, wiping the slate clean and beginning anew with all new members, unaffiliated with any political faction or with any organization and with the common goal of cleaning up the image of State Police and the troubled LSPC.
Failing either of those options, the term “Tarnished Badge” will soon refer to something other than just the nom de plume of a frequent commenter to LouisianaVoice posts.
Louisiana Voice 
And the thick plottens, reinforcing your recommendations – and mine, and others’.
I was chosen by one of the troopers to witness the counting of the votes for the trooper position on the board. While there were a handful of qualified candidates that applied, those few, weren’t as fortunate as Doss. TJ Doss, I heard took a month off of work to go politic and speak at every Troop LSTA meeting. Those troopers who could not have been bought didn’t stand a chance compared to Doss. Those men and women we’re not being groomed for the position as TJ was. It’s been awhile since I have been around ole Baton Rouge, but Hyatt is also Dupuy’s good friend. That is how he got the keys to his unit to go to San Francisco. Dupuy has always had a hand in the LSTA. Seems like everything is within the same circle. Coverups and retaliation. All this sounds like the friends of mike mafia is still alive.
I love the way you try to bring credibility to the words you write by making the statement you were called to be a witness to the counting of votes, but I see through you. You obviously have no honor or integrity or care about troopers or the organization that supports them.
Who were the handful of qualified candidates that applied and what makes one qualified. The last time I checked, the person is elected by classified troopers, who elected Doss by majority. That is how elections are won. If they did not want him they would not have voted for him.
Then you like many others on this site spread rumors and half truths like a typical tabloid magazine by saying “I heard” and “that his how he got the keys” You have no idea. You even got the city wrong. You offer no proof that Doss took a month off and even if he did it does not mean the troopers who voted for him were bought, so congratulations you just insulted a lot of troopers.
What “coverups” and retaliation? Who did this happen to?
And I would hope Hyatt would be friends with several people. Have you met him, talked to him, has he given you any reason to think that he would not be your friend. You come on this site and talk about how being friends with someone is a bad thing.
We are all troopers and as such we should support each other instead of trying to bring your brothers and sisters down. It has become disgraceful.
Well the commission covered up campaign finance violations later validated by the Louisiana Board of ethics fines. I am pretty sure TJ and his board members hiring a PI to follow other members around with their own money was not to help stimulate the economy. Sorry, Vegas and Grand Canyon. It is hard to follow all of the illegal activities covered up and done within this department the last 10 years. I don’t need a lecture from you either about brothers in blue. I did my 25 years, and brought these “issues to the forefront.” The last three years before leaving consisted of multiple TDYs, lost paperwork by HQ, incident reports, crap detail assignments, harassment, etc. All the while the friends of Mike and Hyatt were renting beach houses and TJ was enjoying his made up-position in OP Dev that no longer exists……brothers in blue don’t cover for criminal acts. I see what type of trooper you are. What crimes have you covered up or have been covered up for you? I can sense the guilt. I hope your friends hide their wallets and lock their doors when you are around. I can tell you in 22 years I had an impeccable record. I spoke out and brought an issue and all of a sudden my brothers in blue showed their true nature. None of what I had accomplished in the 22 years meant a thing. Those aren’t brothers or sisters of the badge. Even though they weren’t the ones committing any of the multiple violations, they conspired to cover up and smear me and anyone associated with me. There are many distinguished and honorable troopers still doing the job. They are embarrassed by the criminals in blue and want people held accountable and see the truly honorable troopers come to the top. That can’t happen with officers like you still pushing the “we have to get the snitches and find a fall guy line.”
@Watson, Oh, I see now, another disgruntle retire. I am starting to see a trend on this site. I would love to talk to you about these issues but unlike you I will base it on facts.
I did not mean to hurt your feelings. You obviously are very passionate and care deeply about the department and troopers although the layman would not know it from your writings.
However, once again you make some statements not supported by any factual evidence. First, the LSPC never covered up campaign finance violations as a matter of fact the LSTA was very open to how business was conducted. There was no cover up. Do you have any proof that TJ or any board member hired a PI? There was obviously one hired to follow TJ.
What illegal activities were covered up? What issues did you bring to the “forefront”? What incident reports? What paper work was lost? What beach house was rented? What made up position in Op Dev? What criminal acts?
Just to be clear you quote this line, “we have to get the snitches and find a fall guy line.” I have never said nor implied that.
You are obviously hurt, but taking you pain out on others will not make it better. I have done nothing but ask for the truth. If you are going to comment, do not spread rumors spread the facts. Tell me about the facts. I would love to hear them. You suffer from the Seven Deadly Sin Syndrome. Because you feel a perceived wrong, you build up hatred of others based on jealousy and envy. I am almost certain that TJ is not the cause of your pain because if any of us had known, we would have been there to help you.
Atta-Boy Truth ( TJ ), don’t let em spread Lies….U the Man…
Jimmy and Truth, the wrath of Good Honest Hard Working Troopers will bring y’all down in the end! Can’t wait to see the Mike & Charlie Headquarter Brat Clique in Orange Jump Suits!
Tarnish,
It really pains me to see you filled with so much hate. Why would good honest hard working troopers bring us down. I am just stating facts. Please tell your story, so the rest of us can understand. Like did Edmonson sleep with your wife? Did Charlie discipline you? Seriously, you really need to get some help.
Its telling you bring up two of the main realms of occurrence within the inner circle in your response. You must be in that inner circle. Edmonson’s reputation of committing improper behaviors towards females is well documented. We know he grabbed someone’s wife on the buttocks at a convention. “Charlie” is well known for using IA as his SS police to go after anyone not playing ball. The public should be very concerned a trooper with your mentality is enforcing laws…. luckily though that is not probable for you, being in the circle, you’ve probably have a nice inside job. Worked the road for a year of two and then began selling out the citizens for a fast track to promotion. What makes matters worse, because I went forward with illegal activities and violations, up until my retirement, I was more worried about the department than anyone I encountered on the road. Enjoy your cesspool. Hopefully the new colonel reads this and sees there is still work to be done getting rid of the mike mafia.
The article is careful crafted to mislead, and I will admit it can fool simple minded people. It makes no mention of how Calvin Braxton was put on the LSPC by Mike Edmonson.
That is right Tom. Braxton who has given you money to run certain stories and bury other stories to protect his friend was put on the LSPC by Edmonson. The same guy who with the help of Cathy Derbonne was getting tickets fixed and trying to abuse his authority to punish a trooper for doing his job were playing you by slipping you false information. But even when you were presented with this evidence, you could not write negatively about it because your money train might stop coming.
I also like the way you never mention Eulis Simien probably because Braxton told you not to. Eulis’s brother is a state trooper. Former Sheriff Breaux was a trooper. Truth be told there are a lot of people who have sat on the LSPC over the years that knew or had relatives who were troopers and never once has there been any incidents of impropriety. To be factual clear, Never Once.
The LSTA the LSPC and LSP are exactly like a three leaf clover; they are all separate but are connected. LSP may decide to discipline troopers, the LSTA may decide to defend those troopers, and the LSPC is the judge and jury of that hearing. Likewise the LSTA may decide that a rule change is necessary for the protection of the troopers, LSP may decide it is or it is not, the LSPC will hear the case and they ultimately decide. That is what the LSPC does according the Louisiana Constitution. It is a symbiotic relationship and is necessary for the betterment of all involved.
The fact is under this governor only he appoints people to boards and commissions. You did mention some very important points about Manzella; she has a JD, she worked for the City of New Orleans and handled police matters, she graduated with a masters in security studies. Based on that resume, I think the governor made the right choice.
Braxton has given me money to run stories? That’s an interesting accusation considering (a) it was I who said Braxton needed to go once the LSTA letter came to light and (b) Braxton has not and will not talk to me. I have attempted to interview him but he always threw up his hands, shook his head and walked away from me.
No, afraid not. I’ve never even been offered money to write a story, much less taken–it other than a salary when I was a reporter/editor for newspapers.
You would make a fine detective with your investigative expertise.
I put my name on my stories. Why don’t you identify yourself and not hide behind a fake name?
(Readers, I have expunged my original response because, quite frankly, I lost control of my temper and I’m embarrassed by allowing myself to be drawn into Truthseeker Too’s game. He, like all other readers, has a right to his opinion and a right to respond to my post, even if I disagree with his conclusions.)
Do not fret. Truth Seeker is using the verbal judo they teach in the academy. His passive aggressive and pompous response offer no more evidence to the contrary and he accuses with the same rhetoric. He has had it good for so long, he doesn’t want it to end. He sold his integrity and honor away years ago for promotions and easy do nothing jobs while the rest of the troopers were serving the public. Truth Seeker only seeks the truth he wishes to believe so he can look at himself in that uniform and convince himself the state police in all its glory does no wrong.
Thank you for your response Tom and the information. You are correct, I should have worded it like you do because that would have made it better. Please allow me to try again. “It has been rumored that you have been payed by Braxton to write and kill certain stories.” Of course this does nothing to make it alright. The damage is done whether or not it is true. First, it casts doubt and second, it sounds plausible.
I did that on purpose because I knew it would solicit a response from you. No one likes being accused of doing something they did not do and this story is a perfect example of that. You have no factual proof, but you are beset on making it seem so by asking suspicious leading questions.
You tend to do that a lot in your writings. In this story you clearly say, “But it didn’t go down that way.” How do you know? As long as you have been around state government, you know that only the governor appoints. You also ask questions about everything else in a negative and suspicious way careful not be libelous.
Take this line in the previous story about TJ, “Normally, a man’s tryst with a lady friend who is not his wife would be of no concern to us.” See how you made that sound as if TJ was married and cheating on his wife, which is not the case.
Point is, it does not feel very good when someone makes inaccurate accusations. Now, I am a realist, and I understand this is a blog that has to make money, and no one wants to read feel good stories. However, as a self-proclaimed investigative reporter, you could have actually answered all of your questions in the article if you had actually asked the governor, who appoints.
I do apologize for upsetting you, but you have upset a lot of families equally.
@Watson, I see its your MO to state non-factual information. I have had it good. Being a Louisiana State Trooper is the best job in the world. It is disgruntle retirees that seem to have a problem with it, but I have another 20 years to go, so I will pray ever day that I don’t get like you, and I will also be praying that you will one day find solace in life and learn to help the organization that has given you so much for so long.
Well lets see how all this plays out! Looks Like Y’all Backs Against the Wall! Good Job Tom!
Truth Seeker writes above “Do you have any proof that TJ or any board member hired a PI? There was obviously one hired to follow TJ.” I presume that here Truth Seeker is accusing Louisiana Voice of hiring a PI to follow Doss and Manzella as they conducted their tryst. Am I not correct that you Mr. Aswell were personally responsible for surveilling the duo and took the incriminating pictures yourself?
Correct. No PI, no payments to anyone. Just old-fashioned follow up on reports.
Thanks for that Mr.Tom. You are a good reporter and you always get to the bottom of things. Heck, it is not your fault that this time the bottom was Manzella’s hand on Doss’s bottom. If someone doesn’t want to get caught doing wrong and having it exposed then don’t do it! These were two responsible adults and adults are suppose to take responsibility for their actions
I hope the Commission is abolished in full. Too many lives and important decisions are being made by people who can’t even take care of their own selves. All of our troopers deserve better
Thank God for State Police!
Way to go, Tom. Sounds as if you hit a nerve here.
Truth Seeker Too brings up something very important when s/he says:
“Of course this does nothing to make it alright. The damage is done whether or not it is true. First, it casts doubt and second, it sounds plausible.”
The idea that anybody could pay Tom to slant his stories is ridiculous on its face and, therefore, not plausible. A lot of people, for a variety of reasons, falsely accuse people of things every day and, unfortunately, as you say, the damage is done because some people hearing these accusations will not only believe them, but repeat them. And we all know what happens when word starts spreading…
Did you ever played the game “gossip” in a classroom where the student at the head of the first row whispers something to the one behind, and this continues, until the last person in the last row is reached? What the last person reports is rarely even close to what the first person whispered.
It is a true shame you made this accusation. regardless of your motive or the point you were trying to make, particularly since you clearly knew the implications, and we have to hope nobody considered it plausible enough to even repeat.
What Truth Seeker doesn’t seem to comprehend is that Tom and his associates spend hours upon hours researching and requesting documents (that they have to fight for) to get accurate information. Tom’s investigations (Edmonson, Chris Guillory, etc.) are more objective than LSP’s Internal Affairs. If you read previous posts, that is quite clear. Tom has no dog in this fight. He speaks for those that cannot get anyone to listen to them. I’m not a disgruntled retiree, I loved my time with LSP and am enjoying my retirement. But Truth Seeker obviously has not had a lot of time on the job to see what happens behind closed doors or the truth many cannot talk about for fear of their career or family member. Keep an open mind and do not follow the crowd blindly. Continue the fight Tom, for there are not many willing to take these challenges.