"DA finds violations at Louisiana airport"

Friday, May 18, 2007

DA finds violations at airport
Harson says officials may owe $9,500
By Claire Taylor 
The Lafayette (LA) Advertiser


Lafayette airport commissioners and staff may have to repay about $9,500
they allegedly misspent on meals, travel and other items, District Attorney
Mike Harson said Thursday.

Each commissioner, plus Aviation Director Greg Roberts and Deputy Director
Jason Devillier, may have to repay something, Harson said. He would not
divulge how much each owes.
   
However, after some claimed they already repaid the money, Harson gave them
until Tuesday to provide proof. 

There will be no fines, no charges of theft, misappropriation or
malfeasance, and no detailed audit.

"I'm very disappointed that they get away with a little slap on the wrist,"
said Ted Thrasher, one of several citizens whose investigation into airport
spending prompted Harson's inquiry.

The Airport Commission appears to have violated state open-meetings laws
with post-meeting meals attended by a quorum of the board to discuss airport
business, Harson said.

However, the latest incident was reported more than 60 days afterward, past
the time allotted by law for legal action, Harson said.

Commissioners will be required to attend a workshop Harson hosts on open
meeting and public record laws.

"I don't see any grounds for any criminal prosecution," Harson said.

He found no evidence that the commission and staff acted with intent to
misspend public funds. Harson said the airport's attorney, Glenn Edwards,
advised them that their spending was proper based on attorney general
opinions and past court cases.

Harson said he looked only at the receipts presented by residents.

Denice Skinner, another of the citizens who investigated the commission,
questioned how Harson could determine how much should be reimbursed without
a full audit.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's office conducted an advisory audit,
recommending policy changes, but did not bring in its fraud division.

"I don't think that enough has been done. I'm not convinced yet that enough
is going to be done," Skinner said.

She wants Harson to direct the legislative auditor's office to conduct a
full audit.

The citizens found about $168,000 in questionable spending in only a few
days looking at limited documents, Thrasher and Skinner said. A full audit
by forensic accountants is needed, they said.

"I would have liked to have seen the auditor do it," Harson said. "They
elected not to."

Roberts had little to say about the findings Thursday.

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