There’s a wide-open sheriff’s race in Iberia now that three-term incumbent Louis Ackal has decided to hang up his gun and badge.
Ackal probably waited at least four years too long to walk away from a controversy-plagued tenure of his own making pockmarked as it was with dog attacks on defenseless inmates, beatings and even deaths that resulted in millions of dollars of damages from lawsuit judgments and settlements—along with a half-dozen federal criminal convictions of deputies.
Four years ago, Ackal was forced into a runoff and had to resort to soliciting the endorsement of the third-place finisher in exchange for a job in order to win that election in what should have been declared a clear ETHICS VIOLATION had there been an ethics commission with any ethics of its own.
On October 12, Iberia Parish voters will be tasked with picking a successor from among six candidates—two Republicans, a Democrat and three with no party affiliation. In alphabetical order, they are:
- Roberta Boudreaux (No Party), who lost that runoff election four years after third-place finisher endorsed Ackal and was rewarded with the newly-created position of director of community relations—not that such a position wasn’t sorely needed by Ackal.
- Joe LeBlanc (No Party).
- Fernest “Pacman” Martin (Democrat).
- Murphy Meyers (Republican), a retired state trooper.
- Tommy Romero (Republican), another former state trooper now retired from the Louisiana Attorney General’s office.
- Clinton “Bubba” Sweeny (No Party).
For the moment, Murphy Meyers would appear to be the main story in this election.
That’s because while Meyers wants to be sheriff of Iberia Parish, there is a serious question about whether or not he actually resides in the parish, a qualification most folks would seem to desire of their sheriff.
Meyers has been the sole 100 percent owner of a residence located at 1000 Hugh Drive, St. Martinville, since 1991.
But back on July 12, 2016, Meyers did in fact register to vote in Iberia parish, using the address 210 L Dubois Road, New Iberia.
But on March 7, 2018, Meyers’ then-employer, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of Louisiana State Police, filed an updated “Request for Personal Assignment and/or Home Storage of State-Owned Vehicle.” The vehicle was a 2008 Dodge Charger assigned to Meyers as his personal take-home unit. The form was for the requested approval period of July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. He signed the form stating all information in it was accurate and correct. The listed address of the employee’s resident was 1000 Hugh Drive, St. Martinville.
The very next day, March 8, 2018, Meyers renewed his driver’s license using 2101 Dubois Road, New Iberia, as his correct physical address. (Note: A driver may be cited and fined if the address on his or her driver’s license does not correspond with the driver’s actual address of residence.)
A year later, on March 25, 2019, Malinda Meyers, wife of Murphy Meyers, contributed two in-kind donations to her husband’s campaign fund, according to state campaign finance records submitted September 10, 2019. Malinda Meyers gave her address as 1000 Hugh Drive, St. Martinville.
On August 9, 2019, Murphy Meyers officially qualified to run for Iberia Parish Sheriff in a sworn statement that he met all requirements set forth by Louisiana law, including residence requirements. On that form, he gave his place of residence as 210 L Dubois Road, New Iberia, further affirming that he not only currently resides at that address but has for at least the last year, as per state qualifications.
So, just who does own that property at 210 L Dubois Road in New Iberia that keeps popping up on forms filled out by Meyers?
That would be the home that belonged his mother-in-law, Malindayes Mattox Burks. Courthouse records in New Iberia list her as 100 percent owner of a home valued at $71,400 and assessed at $7,140. Malinda Meyers inherited the home but she and Murphy Meyers still reside in St. Martinville at 1000 Hugh Drive.
Or do they?
This would seem to be a job for the State Ethics Commission to straighten out provided, of course, it had any ethics of its own.
Well certainly the Iberia Parish DA will jump right on this matter as he is such an independent man of highest principles. You know the DA won’t be swayed by what Ackal might have to say about this matter. Nooooo! Not in the least.
Lost your email. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, fellow Libran.
With all due respect, this is blogging report is sloppy, at best; and I find it odd that other comments have posted after I have sent mine.
First, it is curious where you received this information. Had you done even a minimum amount of investigation, you would know that another candidate, or someone closely connected to that candidate, requested these LSP records. Presumably this information may have been obtained through a public records request, although another candidate, as a former state trooper and driver for the attorney general may have used other means…see how easy it is to start a rumor?
Secondly, Louisiana law allows any candidate in the Iberia Sheriff’s race to challenge the residency requirements of another candidate. This has not been done. Also, the District Attorney can challenge the residency of a candidate if he has knowledge that that candidate does not meet the requirements. Of course, it is highly likely the DA would have challenged Murphy Meyers qualifications if there was a thought he did not meet the residency requirements, especially since Tommy Romero’s daughter, Alister (Romero) Charrier, is an assistant district attorney in Iberia Parish. That’s right. If Tommy Romero is elected, he will arrest you and his daughter will prosecute you.
Third, according to the Louisiana Campaign Finance reports, Tommy Romero raised almost $200,000 in campaign contributions. Tommy may be a nice guy, but it makes everyone wonder if he is bought and paid for. Furthermore, his campaign spending habits do not instill much confidence in his ability to manage a multi-million dollar budget. For example, he has spent money on events like hosting Shaquille O’Neal to get out the vote. Just who is that pandering too? I like Shaq but he is not an Iberia Parish resident, so why is his endorsement worth anything?
Of course, I would not feel compelled to comment if your blog was fair and balanced and not simply a hit job for one of the other candidates.
Closer to home: What about Cleo?
What’s really sad about that situation is that no attorney was willing to file the action for Rep. Smith.