Louisiana Voice

When we last visited Jackson Parish, former sheriff Andy Brown and his chief investigator, Donovan Shultz had RESIGNED, apparently to pursue other BUSINESS INTERESTS. But for a rural parish, things don’t seem to have cooled down much on the political front—especially as it involves the sheriff’s office which seems to find controversy with little effort.

There’s no shortage of candidates to succeed Brown. Two of those include interim Sheriff BRENT BARNETT, a veteran of 32 years in law enforcement, most recently as chief deputy, and CODY CHEATWOOD, former chief investigator for the sheriff’s office.

From here, it looks like a pretty lively campaign for the next four months until the May 16 special election. Both men have some negatives to overcome and might just get some unexpected challenges from two other candidates.

First of all, let’s consider Cheatwood, who was first hired by the sheriff’s office in 1984.

In 2016, he was ARRESTED in March 2015 on 16 counts of possession of a legend drug, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of malfeasance in office, 16 counts of attempted conspiracy and a single count of obstruction of justice. He posted a $10,000 bond after being lowered from $220,000 at the request of his attorney. Vickie Booker, another of the defendants, was accused of stealing $56,131. Most of the counts against Cheatwood were dropped by the attorney general’s office.

He retired from the sheriff’s office in December 2014.

Also arrested at the same time were three others, including Cheatwood’s wife, Elizabeth Cheatwood, who at the time was Human Resources Director at Jackson Parish Hospital. She was accused of stealing $99,451. Her bond was originally set at $315,000 but was reduced to $20,000. Neither served any jail time although Mrs. Cheatwood was said to have made restitution.

(All of which raises, or should raise, the obvious question: had the defendants been black or even white without the influence or connections, would they have beel allowed to simply make restitution with no jail time? Askin’ for a friend.)

Barnett, while not burdened with such baggage, nevertheless doesn’t appear to be complying with the strict wording of Louisiana campaign law (not that that seems to matter much in Louisiana politics, given the anemic State Ethics Board we are saddled with).

It seems he has been using a pickup truck—and possibly other vehicles—owned by the sheriff’s office in his campaign. That’s a big no-no: According to STATE LAW:

In Louisiana, it is generally illegal for any public official, including an appointed sheriff, to use department vehicles or other public property for personal campaign activities. 

• Constitutional Restriction: Article VII, §14 of the Louisiana Constitution prohibits the donation or misuse of public funds/property for non-public purposes.
• Political Activity Ban: Louisiana law (R.S. 18:1465) explicitly prohibits using public funds or property to urge electors to vote for or against any candidate.
• Case Precedent: The Louisiana Attorney General has previously indicated that using patrol cars or city-owned vehicles for campaign purposes, such as placing campaign signs, is illegal.
• Exceptions: Department vehicles must only be used for official business or authorized commuting. While some argue a sheriff is “never off duty,” using a vehicle for direct campaign activities (like visiting supporters or transporting campaign materials) violates state laws regarding the misuse of public funds. 

Yet, there’s this from last month’s Christmas parade in Jonesboro:

Complete with campaign poster on passenger door

Simply put, an appointed sheriff in Louisiana cannot use a department vehicle for personal campaign use. Louisiana law explicitly prohibits the use of public resources to promote candidates or political activities. Department vehicles are for official business, and their use for personal activities like campaigning is a misuse of public property.

One thing you can say about Louisiana politics in general and Jackson Parish politics in particular is there doesn’t appear to be a dull moment.