When an organization like the Louisiana State Troopers Association (LSTA) trots out sick children to promote its political agenda, one has to wonder about whether that organization is genuinely interested in helping the unfortunate or more focused on shamelessly exploiting them for the purposes of building and maintaining a political power base.
And when an attorney for that organization, its membership made up entirely of active and (some) retired state troopers, says it is a labor union, you have to wonder what, exactly, constitutes a labor union. State civil service employees are allowed to enter into collective bargaining agreements such as the one recently negotiated between the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Louisiana Department of Health. But state employees are not allowed to strike as would your garden variety labor union. And therein lies an important distinction that attorney Floyd Falcon conveniently neglected to mention.
And when a state commission shirks from its responsibility to enact a RULE CHANGE (See agenda item no. 4) to ensure that state troopers, do not fall into the same trap that KENNER POLICE OFFICERS did a few years back with regard to political contributions, you have to wonder about the qualifications of those commission members to serve—and where their allegiance lies.
And when those same commission members emerge from an executive session with a RULING already neatly typed up (obviously agreed to in executive session) to summarily dismiss its investigation of those contributions—meaning there necessarily had to be a polling of members during the closed session to confirm a predetermined decision, an action blatantly illegal under the state’s open meeting laws—you have to assume a deal had been cut in advance despite the staged and choreographed dog and pony show passed off as a public hearing.
In short, there is little to distinguish this assemblage from the commission makeup of two years ago, when a completely different cast of characters occupied commission seats. The current makeup is comprised of members equally lacking in backbone, scared to death, apparently, to make any decision of consequence. The preferred game plan is to show up for the monthly meetings, occasionally issue a ruling on some trooper’s appeal of disciplinary action, exchange pleasantries and go home.
Some might even call it pontification.
But when it comes down to making hard decisions, the rule of the day is to punt or, in a term attributed to the Louisiana Legislature’s refusal to address real fiscal problems, kick the can down the road.
But on Thursday, things came to a head and it didn’t take long for things to get ugly.
In the end, it was SSDD, with the commission pulling the artful dodge despite months of repeated assurances to retired state trooper Leon “Bucky” Millet that his complaints were “not falling on deaf ears.” By the end of Thursday’s meeting, it was not only deaf ears, but also see no evil, speak no evil.
Millet has been a worrisome pain in the backside for the commission, appearing every month with procedural questions and challenges, only to be repeatedly told his concerns would be addressed at the proper time. Well, on Thursday, he threw the commission a curve. In light of the commission’s consistent stand that it had no jurisdiction over the LSTA’s political contributions, he noted that one LSTA member, a retired state trooper who has been rehired by the Department of Public Safety and who is, therefore, a member of Civil Service, only this week entered into a settlement over political activity whereby he has agreed to two weeks unpaid time off. Millet’s revelation, initially described as a conviction, prompted Falcon into his best lawyerly OUTBURST (pontification) in which he called Millet a flat out liar in much the same manner as he called me a “chronic complainer” a couple of years ago.
One might even be prone to believe that the old guard is still pulling the strings of the puppet commission members. Someone surely was.
Cowed by Falcon, who insisted the commission had no jurisdiction over the LSTA, no action was taken against individual state troopers involved in the decisions to contribute thousands of dollars to political candidates, including Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards among others.
Falcon and the commission were right in the assertion that the commission has no jurisdiction over the LSTA since it is a private organization (and let’s be honest; it’s not a union, it’s a fraternity that operates its own bar—at one time even on State Police property). No one argues that point. But the commission certainly has jurisdiction over the actions of individuals in the LSTA who made the decision to launder money through its executive director’s private checking account—and to reimburse him for “expenses”—in order to facilitate the contributions.
That way of doing it, by the way, begs the obvious question of just why did the LSTA do it in that manner if the contributions were legal and above-board? Huh? Answer that question, Mr. Falcon (Hint: the answer is they were not legal and above-board). Any layman can see right through that little scam of washing the money through Executive Director David Young’s personal bank account.
And then to pay $75,000 to John Bel Edwards’s political crony, Natchitoches attorney Taylor Townsend, to “investigate” the contributions only to see him come back to the commission and recommend that “no action be taken.” $75,000. No written report. $75,000. Just a verbal recommendation. $75,000. His contract (did I mention it was for $75,000?) called for a written report but it’s been two years now and the commission still hasn’t found sufficient cojones among its entire collective membership to demand that written report. $75,000.
But the most disgusting, most shameless, most exploitive part of the entire affair Thursday was the LSTA’s parading St. Jude’s patients and Dreams Come True children before the commission to demonstrate the fine, charitable work it does. No one denies that it gives to those organizations. It’s a fine thing to do and there’s not a person anywhere who would not commend the LSTA for that. But to use that as leverage for political gain is worse than reprehensible.
And too, the question remains: what in the name of benevolence does that have to do with the political contributions?
Better yet, why didn’t the LTSA take that money and give it to St. Jude’s or Dreams Come True instead of to politicians if you are so driven by goodwill? That would’ve been a helluva lot better use of the money than secretly funneling it to some politician as if the LSTA was trying to hide something—which it was. And as if LSTA might be trying to buy a little political influence—which it was.
A lot of folks give to St. Jude’s and Dreams Come True who do not make political contributions and if they do, they probably make them openly and legally, not through an employee’s personal bank account like a Russian oligarch laundering money through some shady real estate deal.
Here’s a good idea: do a video presentation of LSTA parties and post a photo of the liquor flask (I’m sorry, “pocket canteen”) sold by LSTA (complete with Louisiana State Police logo) on your Web page.
And be sure to emphasize how you support MADD in its efforts to curtail drunk driving.
And post those letters to the four retirees (including Millet) who you kicked out of the LSTA because they had the unmitigated gall to question those political contributions.
And tell us again how you want to keep civil service protection while at the same time be allowed to continue to make political campaign contributions.
And Mr. Falcon, Mr. Young, and Mr. Jay O’Quinn (LSTA President) please tell us again, the way you testified on Thursday, how, if the new rule prohibiting campaign contributions goes through, the LSTA will “cease to exist,” because truthfully, we’re in agreement with retired state trooper Jerry Patrick who asked: why, when for decades, LSTA made no political campaign contributions, it didn’t collapse then?
And Mr. Falcon, please enlighten us as to why, as you claimed Thursday, the LSTA “is no different than the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.” Because to us, the difference is quite plain. Sheriffs and their deputies are not classified (civil service) employees. State troopers, by contrast, most certainly are.
(Video of Millet-Falcon confrontation and link to dismissal of investigation courtesy of Robert Burns, who covered the commission meeting while I was taking physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff.)
Given that two almost entirely different sets of commissioners (and two Executive Directors) have reached the same conclusion, could it possibly be that this is just the right decision? It seems very unlikely that this commission would be manipulated by Edmonson or Dupuy given the extensive scrutiny that they all are under. I am not buying the conspiracy theory on this one.
First of all, two different commissions and directors have not reached the same conclusion. Today was the first dismissal of the investigation. No action had been officially taken until today.
The commission has certainly gone way out of its way to avoid facing this issue head-on. You can draw you own conclusions about any “conspiracy.”
By its own admission, the commission reached the same conclusion with different commissioners in July 2016. They made a motion to take no further action on the investigation at that time, as you mentioned above. Only because a written disposition was not provided by Mr. Townsend did this go any further than that meeting, hence the extensive, warranted criticism of Townsend for not doing his job. The new commissioners wanted to review all of the evidence before voting on this matter. That seems like two different sets of commissioners making the same decision.
I cab’t speak for the second executive director, Jason Hannaman, but the first one saw plenty of problems with the arrangements and the unconstitutional makeup of the LSPC itself. The result? According to Ronnie Jones, someone in Governor Edwards’ office “had told her to shut the f—- up!”:
http://www.soundoffla.com/?p=1328
It would seem to me that just because one decides to work for the state they do not surrender their constitutional rights. Your argument that because they are employed by the state they must forfeit rights to join a union or fraternal organization are disturbing to say the lease. They can no longer give their money to a candidate or participate in the electoral process either. Then your insinuation that because they sell a flask the use of that flask must be used for illegal and nefarious purposes at parties is just as asinine. So because of one act of questionable campaign contributions the whole of the employees should lose their rights to participate in the political process and even their right to join other fraternal organizations such as the FOP. Because the proposed rule changes would have effectually made the employees second class citizens and stripping them of the rights afforded to them by the constitution.
Sigh. Where to start?
No one has said state employees have no right to join an organization or a union. There are state employees who are members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). I believe Mr. Aswell mention as much in his post, if you even bothered to read it. The thing they must give up is their right to participate in political campaigns. That is a Louisiana Civil Service rule put in place to protect employees from being pressured by their superiors to support a given candidate by either contributing monetarily or by actively campaigning on his or her behalf.
The members of LSTA violated that rule when they voted to have the LSTA contribute funds through its executive director (the very definition of money laundering).
Again, just so you’re clear: no one has said that state employees do not have the right to join fraternal organizations, associations or even unions. Go back and read the post before displaying your total lack of knowledge about what was actually said. If you can find where anyone ever said that, please cite verse and chapter.
And about that flask. Nothing was “insinuated.” But everyone knows that flasks are generally for carrying small amounts of liquor. Whether or not that is what it’s used for, it’s the perception that an organization that is supposed to be combating drunk driving would promote such an item. And perception counts for a lot.
Geez, it gets tiresome trying to enlighten those who refuse to see and understand plain English and who just want to get their ill-informed – and mistaken – opinions across for the world to see.
Floyd Falcon (LSTA Attorney) spoke at length, and if anyone doubts just how determined they are to do this (make contributions and endorsements), just watch this 4-minute highlight of what all he said:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=yXrCwgY3ikQ.
I will have more emotional appeals tomorrow, but here’s just one wherein these young kids with cancer are being (in my opinion) used as chess pawns to tug at the Commission Members’ heartstrings to let the LSTA make political contributions and endorsements:
Actually, here’s that video:
David Young, LSTA Executive Director, states in no uncertain terms that “LSTA will go away, and that’s a fact.”:
My own opinion is that these folks brought in for the tugging on the heartstrings DIDN’T HAVE A CLUE what was even before the LSPC. Their testimonies are indicative of them being told this body could cut off their funding. It’s VERY, VERY difficult for me to believe that these folks would have agreed to make this testimony if they knew the REAL issue before the LSPC (i.e. enabling them to make political contributions and political endorsements).
Were they REALLY informed WHY they were being asked to give testimony? If not, do they now feel used. This is just how I would have felt under a know / not know scenario:
1. Know. No way in Hell would I agree to be exploited to enable political contributions.
2. Not know. Furious with a feeling of being used and manipulated.
That’s just me, but I can tell you as a former auctioneer who has conducted many auctions for St. Jude (it’s the official charity of the National Auctioneer’s Association, of which I was a long-time member, and at last count had raised about $8 million for St. Jude), I would NEVER have dreamed of exploiting the name of St. Jude for me to be able to make political contributions and make political endorsements. From my vantage point, it is nothing short of reprehensible!
So, if the LSTA is not allowed to make these contributions to politicians and make endorsements of them, does that mean all their laudable efforts suddenly cease? If so, they were never done for the right purpose in the first place!
Floyd Falcon specifically stating the LSTA is “just like the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.”: https://youtu.be/DuVIk5Mzt3A.
Sorry, here’s that link:
The State Police Commission exist as a duplication of services already provided by State Civil Service. The body has been non functional for many years. A simple audit of their handling of complaints and investigations compared to their budget will reveal that it is an additional layer of bureaucracy providing little to no service. The services LSPC provide are already provided by State Civil Service. It is time to place State Police back under State Civil Service and hold them accountable.
With regards to the Troopers Association , they are to be commended on their charitable contributions. Unfortunately, the public is unaware of the reality of the Association of being a “big party”at the cost of the charitable donations they solicit. The Association should make public their expenses over the last five years with regards to expenses related to travel and conventions. This years convention will be on a cruise ship with a departure and return from another State. The public should also be made aware on just how many Troopers and Retirees are no longer members of this Association since it’s leadership has engaged in this “big party atmosphere” and prohibited political activity.
I always enjoy your pieces about Louisiana corruption and pushing of the ethical envelope. … But please, no more “cajones.” I think this dip into Spanish is often just a writer’s euphemism for “balls.” I don’t know why you do so. If, however, you are in the future going to slip out of English, may I advise you that “cojones is the word you want. “Cajones” means boxes, or crates, or drawers, as in a chest of drawers. Cheers.
You are correct. Guess I shouldn’t have slept in my Spanish classes in college.
Tom I have been told by reliable sources that LSTA attorney Floyd Falcon has negotiated a settlement with State Civil Service on LSTA Board Member D.Rando for his activity as a classified employee who participated in prohibited political activity. So how can Civil Service have a finding on the same allegations, but the LSPC doesn’t
Also Falcon has argued before the Membership in December 2015 that all the campaign donations by the LSTA were legal, but the LSTA enters a settlement agreement in October 2016 with the State Ethics Board to pay a $5000.00 fine for a violation of State Law. I think the LSPC to entertain the thought, if your lawyer gives you bad legal advice you are exonerated from wrong doing is a poor excuse for doing the right thing.
That fact (the negotiated settlement) was confirmed early on at yesterday’s meeting even as Falcon wanted to split hairs and, in the process, call Millet a liar in a packed room (it was standing room only):
That episode merely added to the utter disgrace that was the case for basically the entire meeting yesterday. It was unnerving to see such open disdain for Millet followed by raw, naked exploitation!!
How hard would it be for Col. Reeves to step up and prevent active troopers from being involved in this type of activity? He sure took care of the LACE program very quickly. He has no control over the LSTA but he does over the active membership. Simple solution.
And a lawsuit would follow almost immediately, as you can not strip employees of their constitutional rights.
Well, the Falcons, Mark Falcon through the Division of Administration and his brother Floyd representing the LSTA worked together to take care of their clients regardless of the Truth and in the interest of Justice. It is widely known that Mark Falcon was actively involved in the Administration’s inquiry into State Police Corruption involving Edmonson and others well before the LLA Audit.
I believe it is abhorrent that LSP supposedly supports MADD but (probably) makes money selling a POCKET FLASK complete with the LSP seal. Actually, it does not matter who gets the revenue, the use of the LSP official seal is incongruent with MADD’s efforts. Find out who at LSP authorized use of the emblem and out them publicly. At least force removal of the seal…
LSP is better today than a year ago. Progress is being made. Last year at this time we were watching Edmonson and his Minions obtain rooms at the Roosevelt, Royal Sonesta , and Wyndham Suites at the expense of tax payers for the sole purpose of “party time” for New Orleans Mardi Gras.
[…] At Louisiana Voice, Tom Aswell writes—State Police Commission absence of cojones gives impetus to LSTA to continue making clandestine poli…: […]