Ain't It Time For Ray To Go?
With the passage of Rep. Loulan J. Pitre, Jr.'s HB 212, more popularly known as the Ray J. Cheramie Memorial Generator Bill, 143 members of the Louisiana State Legislature - 104 in the House, 39 in the Senate - have gone on the record to say Lafourche DPW Director Ray Cheramie's actions after Katrina, when he loaned five public generators to his family and friends, was unacceptable. Notwithstanding this public condemnation, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph maintains Ray on the public payroll. Is this fact a sign of how disengaged from reality Charlotte has become? Ain't it way passed time to hand Ray his walking shoes?

Comet Buries Chiasson Resignation Story
In what seems to have become a pattern of late, the Comet buried Shannon Chiasson's resignation in a story headlined "Council OKs Larose library contract". Come on Comet editorial staff!! Doesn't the resignation of an embattled Finance Director within a month of the Legislative Auditor examining her records for more than a week scream for a headline?

This comes on the heels of the Comet burying the passage of Loulan Pitre's HB212, which makes it clear Ray Cheramie's generators for family and friends plan was a no no, in an article summarizing the adoption of bills of local interest. Pitre's bill is not one with solely local implications; it affects the entire state and it passed both houses unanimously.

Additionally, I wrote the Comet a letter to the editor several weeks ago questioning whether the reason the Feds are not investigating DA BAGS scandal was somehow related to the Justice Departments politically motivated firings and the fact Charlotte is Republican. Instead of printing it in the Comet, the editorial staff decided to bury it in the Houma Courier, although the intended audience of the letter would more likely read the Comet.

Is this pattern of burying news and opinions unflattering to the Randolph regime evidence that the whining George has been doing about how unfair the Comet has been to Charlotte is having an affect?

Having Second Thoughts

Following is a comment left today on the Comet Forum by a poster who goes by the username of "Chaz" in response to my post about Shannon Chiasson's resignation:

"You know, I voted for Charlotte, and I really thought she would be a fine Parish President and run her administration in an above board and honorable way. I even thought she might work in an even handed way with our very difficult Parish Council. Seems I was wrong...and I admit it."

Excellent, rich and thoughtful writing, Chaz. I can't say that I had as much confidence in her from the start. I saw it as a snow-job self-promotion, which is one of the few things Charlotte and George actually seem to know about. To me, it was a vote for what I thought would be the lesser of two unacceptable choices. But, for people like Chaz, who hoped Charlotte would have a better way of doing things, the disappointment and sense of betrayal are that much greater, and what makes his post sad and bittersweet, and an exceptional piece of writing. I wish I could write as well as you, Chaz.

Welcome Home, Charorge!

Lafourche Finance Director Resigns
Was the light too hot?
Shannon Chiasson, Lafourche Parish Council Finance Director, and long time Charlotte podna, announced her resignation in a written statement tearfully delivered at tonight's Council meeting. The reason she gave is better opportunities elsewhere. But, why the tears? The rest of us jump for joy when moving on to a better gig.

Chiasson survived, by one vote, an attempt by the Council to remove her last year.

I wonder whether the Legislative Auditor scrutinizing her records, and the questions they asked, within the month for over a week was a contributing factor in her decision. HMMMM!!!! What do you think, George?

Who's next? Cullen? Ray?

Don Don, Dont Dont! Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!

Save y'all selves!!!! Charorge's ship is going down! They're the ones who manufactured the illusion y'all were all immune from the demands of the law. They're the ones who should be made accountable. It's like the Titanic, but with Charorge's ego, hubris and monumental stupidity replacing the iceberg.

This is classic! This is history!

Pitre Bill Passes Senate
The LA Senate adopted Rep. Loulan J. Pitre, Jr.'s Ray J. Cheramie Memorial Generator Bill 36-0 today. The damn thang didn't get one dissenting vote throughout the process, Charorge! Where's the respect there? What part of Baton Rouge is Charlotte respected in, exactly? The bar at Ruth's Chris?

Unless Charlotte can convince her friend Blanc-out to veto the thang, it becomes law. And, maybe, the Comet will write about it.

The Bill is designed to clarify that the provision of the law forbidding a public servant from favoring his family over the general public when allocating a public benefit also applies to emergency situations. Right, Loulan?

Update: Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 5:43 P.M.
"From: "Pitre, Rep. (Chamber Laptop)"
To: cchauvin11@yahoo.com

Yes, you are right about the bill."

Charorge, care to respond to my question directed to y'all?

Reservoir District Indictments
The Feds have indicted the Director/consultant of various reservoir districts around the state, and brother of a state rep. who created the district laws, for obtaining funds "to which he wasn't entitled while acting in his official capacity". You know, sort of like having a public body pay for your personal wrecks, and your husband's plane tickets, meals and booze and lending your family public generators and using public equipment and personnel on your private property. The indictment found a violation of the Hobbs Act, a federal statute "frequently used in connection with cases involving public corruption".

HMMMM!!
The Comet confirms our previous report that the Louisiana Legislative Auditor is investigating Lafourche Parish Government.

"The Compliance Division - whose auditors visited Lafourche - 'gather evidence regarding fraudulent or abusive activity affecting governmental entities.' "

"That’s according to the official description of the division, which goes on to say, 'Their audits are designed to detect and deter the misappropriation of public assets and to reduce future fraud risks.'"

I wonder what "misapproriation of public assets" could possibly have taken place in Lafourche Parish? Charorge? Ray? Craig? Cam?

Well ain't this investigation interesting so quickly on the heels of Charorge's absolution by the Ethics Commission? Maybe these bureaucrats will get it right.

Charorge Cleared?!?!
The Public Scratches Its Heads
Only in Louisiana! And you wonder why their leaving?

She convinces a Councilman to offer a resolution to pay for her husband's wreck, the Council approves the payment, she signs the check that was approved, as well as some that were not approved, and the Ethics Board sees no conflict of interest in that?

Ask Mike Matherne, who sponsored the Decembet 13, 2005 resolution, who put him up to that act and tell me Charlotte and George were not behind it? The Ethics Board's decision defies logic and reason! Or maybe its just that their staff didn't provide them with all the facts.

Can you say reconsideration?

You can puff-up your chests believing you were vindicated, Charorge, but the Public ain't buying it.

Dis ain't over. Can I get a Council resolution to ask the Attorney General his opinion?

Pitre Bill Set For Committee Hearing
Loulan Pitre's HB212, more popularly known as the Ray Cheramie Memorial Generator Bill, is scheduled for hearing tomorrow at 9 AM before the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs. Charorge are y'all lobbying against it? After all, y'all are "respected" in Baton Rouge, right? That should translate into enough clout to kill this snake, non?

The bill was voted out of the House by a vote of 99-0.

Update: 1:34 P.M., June 13, 2007. The Senate Committee reports the bill favorably. Now on the Senate floor.

US Flood Control Video
Here's a link to a US Flood Control Promotional video from their site.

The video is 11:28 minutes in length. But, you'll get to see and hear some of the players you have only read about here. You'll see how DA BAGS work. Paul Vickers shills! Toby Champagne thrills!

Why $5.3 million? Why 30 days? Why place them when the water was going down? Why were emails sent to Ray Cheramie's office and not Chris Boudreaux's? Why was the possibility of acquiring these products not considered prior to Hurricane Rita?

Legislative Auditor Investigating Lafourche Parish Government
Multiple reliable sources tell TPRTK that the Louisiana Legislative Auditor has been to the Lafourche Parish Government offices and has looked at records. What records? We don't know. But, perhaps a public records request to Lafourche Parish Government could clarify the question.

Tauzin "Unnamed" In Jefferson Indictment

Billy Tauzin, former U.S. Congressman from Chackbay and drug industry whore, is alleged to be the unnamed Congressman in the Bill Jefferson Indictment, according to an article in The Hill. Were it only that Jefferson had been a little smarter and waited six months after his retirement from Congress to accept the payoff like Billy did, I would have nothing to write about today.

Iberia Parish Grand Jury To Convene
The Insider reported last Thursday that the Iberia Parish Grand Jury will convene Tuesday to investigate criminal wrongdoing uncovered in the Legislative Auditor's investigation report of which we have previously written. Eleven witnesses have been subpoenaed.

However, our boy Iberia Parish President Will Langlinais ain't going down without a fight. The Daily Iberian reports today that our boy Will's attorney has filed a motion to have Iberia DA Phil Haney disqualified alleging the DA has a conflict of interest. The hearing on that motion is set for July 12, meaning the Grand Jury investigation may be delayed.

Charorge Falls to # 7 on the Ethics Hit Parade
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte/George Randolph, aka Charorge, fell to Number 7, down from 4 last month, on the Ethics Commission agenda. Hearing set for June 14, 2007.

Charorge, are y'all ready to forcefully argue how this is a plot by Carl A. Chauvin and his cohorts to "bring down another administration" and how these charges are ludicrous? Wish I and Paris could be there! Unfortunately, I'll be back in the foothills of the Ozarks fending off ticks and Paris is back in the Los Angeles County women's correctional facility.

By the way, reliable sources tell TPRTK that George was seen driving the Parish Crown Vic assigned to Charlotte's use last week. Charorge, do y'all have a learning disability, besides just being stupid? Will it take a lawsuit for injunction to enforce the ordinance forbidding nonemployees from driving Parish vehicles? Cam?

WAKE UP, CAM!
Two Grand Juries in other Parishes are either beginning to investigate or have returned a true bill indicting present and/or former public servants for abusing the Public trust and committing criminal offenses. Both Grand Juries were prompted by reports from the La. Legislative Auditor pointing out the wrong doing. In Iberville Parish, it took DA Ricky Ward about a week to convene the Grand Jury and obtain an indictment for misuse of a public credit card. In Iberia Parish DA Phil Haney has stated he will present information uncovered by the Leg. Auditor to the Grand Jury this month.

Charlotte Randolph's misuse of Lafourche Parish credit cards was brought to Lafourche DA Cam Morvant's attention over a year ago by me. In March, 2006, I forwarded copies of Parish credit card statements showing Charlotte had charged plane tickets, meals and alcohol for her husband, George Randolph. What are you waiting for in order to act, Cam? The Legislative Auditor providing you documents and information you already have in your possession? Your reputation is on the line! If you prosecute folks for simple possession of marijuana, failure to wear a seat belt, and failure to inoculate one's animals, yet ignore Charlotte Randolph's misuse of Parish credit cards, how is the Public to maintain faith that you are able to impartially discharge your duties to enforce the criminal law of Louisiana?

PULL THE TRIGGER! (That's a metaphor, Charorge.)

Iberville grand jury indicts former White Castle Police Chief
Here's the story as reported today by The Advocate. The charges are theft by unauthorized use of an access card and malfeasance in office for using a public credit card to rent a car for personal use.

Cho, they sure work fast in Iberville Parish. What up in Iberia Parish? We're anxious to know the fate of our boy Iberia Parish President Will Langlinais.

What about Lafourche Parish, Cam? Doesn't any of this stuff sound faintly familiar? Is it that much a leap between using a public credit card for renting a vehicle for personal use and using a public credit card for buying your husband plane tickets, meals and booze? If one is an indictable offense, ain't the other? Shouldn't you, at least, present it to a Lafourche Parish Grand Jury?