Bossier Council members Brian Hammons, Debra Ross and Cliff Smith were appointed by council president Chris Smith to investigate the paving by Bossier City of parking lots at Bossier Power Equipment and Scot's Audio.
At the committee’s meeting on Friday, August 8 committee chair Hammons read a prepared statement concerning the investigation. Sworn statements had been requested from seven individuals with documentation and emails. Mayor Tommy Chandler, City Attorney Charles Jacobs and Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray provided statements but NO documentation and emails.
The Committee recommended that the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and the Bossier District Attorney investigate this matter. The Committee believed that there was reasonable cause to believe public funds or assets may have been compromised. Additionally, the Committee wanted to submit all the committee’s documentation to the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Attorney General.
Prior to the committee meeting Chandler, Jacobs and Ray requested an Executive Session to be held at the Council's regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12. On a 5-1 vote this request was granted. Hammons voted against the motion. Councilman Girouard was not at the meeting.
One of the statutory reasons for an Executive Session is "investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct." Presumably the actions/inaction of Chandler, Jacobs and Ray regarding the paving of the two parking lots will be reviewed. No final action can be taken at the Executive Session.
So, what can be the outcomes of the Executive Session IF the committee's investigation and the report is discussed at the Executive Session? The Council has at least three choices:
1. Ignore the recommendation of the investigative committee and drop the investigation.
2. Follow the committees' recommendations in re involvement of the Legislative Auditor, the Bossier District Attorney, the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Attorney General--or one or some of these listed bodies.
3. Vote to have the Committee conduct further investigation.
Any action decided at the Executive Session MUST be approved by the Council in an open session. Presumably the Council will reconvene tomorrow after conclusion of the Executive Session and vote on action to be taken.
A vote to drop the investigation will certainly raise suspicions of collusion and behind the scenes deal making that has long been a complaint of Bossier citizens. Seemingly any information to be provided by Chandler, Jacobs and/or Ray, especially the non-produced documentation and emails, could have been provided with the sworn statement each provided. Any reasons/excuses for not providing these documents/emails should be made public, much like Ray's comments at the committee meeting of only retaining emails for 30 days>
How this matter plays out will have a major impact on the credibility of the new Council which has promised full transparency. The action(s) by the Council will set the tone of accountability for the remainder of their terms, which only began July 1. The council's vote on the committee report will be an early litmus test of what can be expected for the next three years plus.