AG probing 2006 city elections

BY MARCELLE HANEMANN
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:09 AM CST


More than two years of rumors concerning an investigation into the 2006 Bogalusa city elections have finally been confirmed.

Confirmation came from the office of the Louisiana Attorney General as well as the office of the 22nd District Attorney.

Last week, Tammi Erender, spokesman for the AG’s office, verified there was an investigation under way, but she said she could not disclose the subject of the investigation because the case was still open.


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Then, on Tuesday, both the AG’s office and the DA’s office confirmed that the 2006 elections were the subject of the investigation.

“We have recently received a report from investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, and we’re in the process of reviewing,” said DA spokesman Rick Wood. “It does concern the 2006 Bogalusa city election.”

He said additional information would be released after the review is complete.

Last week Mayor Mack McGehee said he was not aware of any such investigation.

“It’s news to me,” said McGehee. “I don’t know what they’d be investigating. They haven’t been in my office. Maybe, for once, I’m out of the loop.”

Shortly after the election, a complaint was filed with the secretary of state (SOS), who is Louisiana’s chief election official.

In March 2007 the investigative division of the SOS’ office forwarded what was been described a "a large report" to DA Walter Reed for review and possible action according to Jacques Berry, SOS’ public information officer.

Unconfirmed reports indicate more than 100 persons were interviewed after complaints were filed with the office of the secretary of state and more than 30 depositions were said to have been taken.

SOS investigator Johnny Newton referred all questions to Berry, who would only confirm that an investigation had been conducted and the results sent on to Reed's office for action.

Following that, Reed’s office sent the report to the AG’s office for review, citing the bulk of the report and the increased workload it would place on an already short-staffed department.

(Information from The Daily News archives is included in this story.)

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    luvintexas wrote on Feb 10, 2009 3:10 PM:

    " i new it i new it 2 the people of bogalusa get out so u can hav a better life before its 2 late "

    just me wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:10 PM:

    " Unless there is a smoking gun issue that can't be ignored, don't expect the DA's office to take any action, but probably refer it back to the state . "

    Ed Chandler wrote on Feb 7, 2009 11:00 AM:

    " I've been hearinf "rumblings" about this issue for some time now... as long as a year or more I hope everythinf at City Hall is OPEN and CLEAN ... but if there is corruption, it NEEDS to be dealt with head-on! The Citizens of Bogalusa DESERVE a clean-cut government and a goal-driven government! ... PROGRESS! "

    Ed Chandler wrote on Feb 7, 2009 10:56 AM:

    " What is that foul odor in the air? No, it's not coming from the Mill ... hmmm, is it coming from City Hall? Could the SOS be onto something? I hope so ... we need ABOVE THE TABLE TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS AND OTHER POLITICAL MATTERS IN BOGALUSA... If there is any dirt, it must be swept out and cleaned up! GO, GO, GO...SOS! "

    anonymouse wrote on Feb 5, 2009 7:28 PM:

    " Where are the comments? They don't show online. "

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