Editor’s note: The following first-person account was submitted to LouisianaVoice for publication. The writer’s name is being withheld because she is still employed at the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal and she fears for her job, her safety and that of her family. Several employees of the fire marshal’s office have already been fired or forced to resign because management suspected them of talking to LouisianaVoice. This post is certain to prompt a new round of interrogations and intimidation tactics to ferret out the new mole. But Fire Marshal Butch Browning may want to be very careful: if he finds and punishes or fires this individual, she will have no compunction about going public and naming names. She’s very angry and this is a bit more serious than decorating your uniform with military medals you never earned.
To her story, we would only add this question of Gov. John Bel Edwards: What are you going to do about this situation that this woman says is even now occurring on your watch?
I want to get right into my discussion, as recent news from around the country and world has allowed me the opportunity to tell my story.
I am a female employee at the Office of State Fire Marshal, Baton Rouge/Headquarters Office.
Over the past several years, upper management and the high-ranking deputies of this agency have sexually harassed me on numerous occasions—making inappropriate comments and sexual advances towards me. I have witnessed first-hand these advances being made towards others, as well.
I started my career with DPS a number of years ago and have been the victim of several comments and suggestions and subject to jokes about homosexuality and bestiality.
Several years ago, I was approached by a top supervisor about a special project to handle. While in his presence, he made it quite known that to “advance” in the agency, I would have to subject myself to him. I did not file a complaint, as I heard this was common amongst his bosses at Louisiana State Police.
I rejected those advances and went about my business. A few weeks later, another individual in my capacity told me about a similar situation she was involved in with another supervisor. The advances were brushed off and I continued to work at SFM. Several months later, a new employee with ties to the DPS compound (relative to higher-ups) was brought in the agency to handle similar clerical type jobs. I witnessed her being subjected to advances from several upper management heads until her abrupt departure shortly after. I was told she was just a temporary assignment anyway, and I moved on.
About two years ago, I was approached by the newest member of the executive staff. I heard from several sources in his previous agency that he was a man who knew what he wanted and just how to get it. It didn’t matter what kind of car he drove or uniform he wore, but he did things his own way. I was told that to move up in this agency, I was to kiss the feet of the new “Prince” himself. He was, in fact, related to a powerful politician. I soon recognized that this wasn’t just a made for TV movie about a corrupt southern town where the boss gets what he wants because he was related to the power brokers; I was actually living in a nightmare in real time.
Sure enough, the “Prince” approached me. It was just the two of us in the room, and he made his move. It began innocently enough about work. Then came the jokes about our personal lives. Then sexually suggestive comments that made me quite uncomfortable. I excused myself and we didn’t speak of it for the rest of the day. Sure enough, it returned. When I was again alone with him in the office, the story repeated itself. As a married mother, I brushed it off and changed the topic. But predictably, he brought the conversation around to just how well my career could/would be advanced had I given him what he wanted—ME. I was a young, dumb clerk who decided my family was important, and more important than me.
I decided to play his games.
When he made comments about my breasts, I joked and flirted back. When he said my rear end looked good, I joked and made suggestive comments again. Surely enough, he was falling for it. That’s when I decided to use this to my advantage and work myself to a better/higher position in this agency.
I asked him for favors and filed training requests to attend certain courses where I would be out of the office more. I asked to be assigned to another division where my work load would be decreased. I asked for a certain vehicle, and sure enough, it was mine—just like everyone said it would be.
It ended there. I made sure that it he knew that after I got what I wanted (and he got what he wanted), that was it. He was told that this would end it, and it did.
I am ashamed of what I did, but it was for my family and my career.
This man sexually harassed me, forcing me in uncomfortable situations to further my career.
Butch Browning knew about this but never did a thing about it.
Several, if not all upper management at SFM know about this, but are afraid to speak of it because of the fear they have for upper management and the highly-placed politicians who protect them.
I remain anonymous because I am still an employee with this agency, but I am very well aware of LouisianaVoice‘s articles about this office.
I am a proud mother and wife and I am truly ashamed for allowing myself to be harassed, but I know this story must be shared—now more than ever. This hasn’t ended. This happens every day, yet claims aren’t filed because of the fear of this man. Complaints can’t be made for fear of having them fall on deaf ears at the top—and for fear of the reprisals that would certainly follow.
To this day, I hear jokes about homosexuality and bestiality being made by upper management—comments about homosexual employees and our SFM K-9 dogs. To this day, I hear a joke about a woman’s vagina or a man’s penis size. To this day, I hear about management’s sexual conquests with deputies’ wives. To this day, I am told stories about affairs being carried on by upper management with clerks and deputies. To this day, I am truly embarrassed for what I put myself through. But I need to tell my story.
This is my story.
And I want it told.
It took incredible courage for this woman to come forward. Any other employee(s) with similar stories of sexual or racial discrimination at the State Fire Marshal’s Office is/are encouraged to come forward. Your identity will be protected above all else.
—Tom Aswell, publisher
Louisiana Voice 
I am a woman. I am a wife and mother. I truly understand that people make mistakes and can be easily influenced. When you play with the devil, you have to be strong willed and keep your priorities in check or else he will win and you will be left with the guilt that will never wash off or go away. We need to teach our young daughters and yes, sons, that there will always be someone around the corner to take you down and put you in a situation where you think you will benefit from taking part with their advances. The devil lies every time. We need to teach our children that no one can make them do anything unless they let them. He will try to convince them otherwise. But no one can do anything to you unless you let it happen. Plain and simple. There will always be these men and yes, women, who prey on others. What we have to do is say “no.” You have to make a choice and in most cases it is a choice that may have severe consequences like losing your job. The question we have to ask ourselves is, “Am I worthy of keeping my dignity and self respect?” The answer is “Hell Yeah!” In the case of this upper management official, I’d like to see the next young woman say “maybe” and string him along but arm herself with a video camera and tape player so she can get this fine respectable man to humble himself and admit that he needs to retire or quit his job. Remember the movie Nine to Five? These ladies did not give in, but they got even. We just have to play/fight smarter without lowering ourselves to their level. It can be done. Everything seems to revolve around the almighty dollar and now sex, sex, sex. These bullies will never die or go away. There is one born every minute. It is up to us to know how to fight them off and make them understand we will not play their games. That way, you win and they lose.
Its easy to get away with it when your powerful and connected daddy has secured for you every job you have ever had. Its even easier when your boss Butch Browning fancies himself a womanizer. Let’s not forget his assigning employees extra details so he could slip over to their house and sleep with the wives. Browning loves to talk about God and being a Christian. He loves to brag of family and faith but in reality he is nothing more than a low down dirty dog that has everyone on the outside snowed. Edwards is a one term governor so good luck with him getting involved.
That’s some tough words and accusations but hey, if the wives of these men go along for the ride, then its on them and no one else. Again, all they have to say is “no”. They alone are responsible for the situation they are in and no one else. If they succumb to that kind of life, its all on them. They must be happy with the benefits. I’ve always been doubtful of someone who brags about knowing God more than anyone else. That immediately sends out a red flag to me. Unfortunately there are a lot of people in all walks of life like that.
Alice in Wonderland provided me with more than childhood entertainment. I remember a few phrases that are useful in summarizing aspects of state government. In these ladies cases I think of their supposed protector, Civil Service, and the trial of Alice before the red queen. Verdict first, then trial.
I can attest to witnessing the same type of harassment that happens under Lance Carruth’s gavel. Keith Reed & Nick Heinen…WOW. The comments they have made. The harassment tears they have caused.. The sleepless nights.. It doesn’t just happen at headquarters.
I agree with Carmen. This man whoever he is could ask until hell froze over but her answer should have been “not no but hell no”. A persons self respect is worth a whole lot more than any job.
She should have filed a complaint and charges of sexual harassment on this man immediately when it first happened. Giving into to him was the worst thing she could have done. When she pacified him she became part of the problem.
In life, we all faced with situations and everyone has to make up their own mind if they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.
I feel sorry for this woman but she made the wrong choice when she gave him what he wanted. She should have given him what he needed not what he wanted a damn lawsuit for harassment and smeared his name all over the news. When it was done he could have gone home to DADDY who probably taught him everything he knows. Both Father and Son could have been exposed with their names attached and it would no longer be a secret as to who they were. Exposure is the best medicine for these type of men(worms).
There are laws to protect individuals against sexual harassment in the workplace. She should have used that avenue and should have NEVER given in to that scum. I hope he loses his job when this is all said and done. That would be good ole time justice but this woman still has to live the rest of her life knowing that she gave in to that scum. She now has to also worry about the fact of what kind of disease she could be walking around with because there is no telling how many women made the same mistake she did before he got to her. This man needs to pay for what he did and she needs to come out in the open and expose him. Silence is never golden in corruption.
Governor Edwards better take care of this and soon. I don’t think this would be good re-election material that he would want thrown back at him if he decides to run again. Please Governor, use some of that good ole Honor Code enforcement on this male whore scum bag and his Daddy whoever they are. Please get rid of both of them before they both cost those agencies a whole lot of money.
OH!!!!!!!!! this is Louisiana. don’t forget…….
Seems to be a self-serving narrative published without merit. How can any one person or persons sustain that level of control without prevailing contest? Is this a failure of complainers to take the appropriate actions? One who talks and takes no actions is a mute voice. I had never heard so many complaints by public servants employed by a State agency and they rather voice their discontent or presumed victimization on a blog or ancillary website than to take the appropriate actions afforded to them under the law! Those who complain and take no actions of protection are only fueling the situation. And before you judge, I am a LEO with more that 20 years of experience, and I am afforded no protections under the law because my agency is a Right to Work entity and my employment can be terminated without cause…. unlike those who’s agency has Civil Service protection.
I’m not one that takes sexual harassment lightly, and certainly would never blame a victim, but this woman sounds suspect and doesn’t sound at all like a victim. She admits that she went along with it to further her career. According to her own words, after she “got what she wanted,” she immediately ended the relationship. Why didn’t the harassment continue? Why did the “Prince” suddenly leave her alone? It sounds like she called the shots about how long the relationship lasted and what she got out of it. She seemed to have no problem asking for assignments that lightened her work load, or requesting a special vehicle. I do agree that women should not be harassed in the workplace, but that’s not what this sounds like. It sounds like she wanted more than the job currently offered and took short cuts to get what she wanted. Who knows what would have happened if she had said “no” to begin with? I’m just having a hard time believing the “I did it for my family” story.
I started working for the Department of Education in 1974, as a young, clerical employee. What this lady is describing was very similar to what many of us experienced. However, I can assure you that I never succumbed to any of the solicitations. I use that word specifically because I would have felt like a call girl by using sex to get ahead in my job. I was even asked by a higher up if I would like to meet the Governor, who happened to be none other than Edwin Edwards. I declined.
Well, lets see what happens to butch and MINIONS in the next couple of months. I smell Federal EOC, I smell resignation/retirements much like his buddy Edmonson. Well, My My!
Mr. Aswell – I must disagree with your comments of the courage it must have taken this woman to tag onto “#metoo”. She continues to reap the benefits of her decision (excuse) to play along while other well deserving SFM employees who did not do the same languish. There are too many other women who rebuked the same & kept their soul in tact – her coming forward now is only self-serving & perhaps (allegedly) just an attempt to further attach herself as a barnacle on the underside of the civil service – allegedly the same as her allegedly accused allegedly have done
Female employee of SFM: you allegedly had the chance to speak the truth and tell your story & not sell your soul but you have allegedly latched onto other females who allegedly had no real power of persuasion that allegedly you had & cowardly posted your story. I am Julie Zavithsanos
Browning and Thompson have created their own little harem. I guess “Special Services” is an appropriate name for the area they all work in…….. Glorified secretaries with guns and unmarked Tahoes.