The audit found the deputies were paid by both the Sheriff's Office and film company, possibly violating state law. @MikeScottTP Broccoli rabe, not broccoli. They often have to solve disputes between neighbors, or have to catch people doing illegal acts on the bayou, such as illegally hunting alligators, among other things. The audit, conducted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, says Bourgeois took vacation pay he wasnt entitled to, used Sheriffs Office resources for personal gain and oversaw other infractions. Trust, AdamRichman 10:05am via Twitter for iPhone, @MikeScottTP I say it at the end of every episode: "THIS IS JUST MY CALL, GO OUT AND FIND YOUR OWN #BESTSANDWICH. The Louisiana Attorney General's Office said earlier this year Bourgeois will not face state charges. that is until a new Sheriff took over (after filming wrapped). Oh, Adam. 'Cajun Justice' Premiere: Officers Tackle A Drug Dealer And An Alligator An . Nearly six months after a legislative audit report noted potentially illegal actions by former Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois during his tenure, nobody knows if criminal charges will result. In fact, if A&E were to compile its 10 Most Wanted, chances are Jerry Larpenter would be at the top of its list. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. n Unauthorized use of a moveable, in this case the Sheriffs Office cars that were taken to sporting events in Louisiana and elsewhere. For the sake of full disclosure, I am a voting member of the group that annually hosts the awards, the BFCA (Broadcast Film Critics Association). Huge difference. Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois is the most powerful man in town--overseeing the investigation of every strange and eerie occurrence in the region. A spokesman for Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell declined to comment on possible criminal charges. If a sheriff or elected official does something wrong, that is when you get an outside agency to come in and investigate. Read more TV coverage at NOLA.com/tv. It might be the understatement of the year to say that the new sheriff of Terrebonne Parrish is not a big fan of reality TV. The Terrebonne Sheriff's Dept. Yes! Larpenter said he is leaving the question to higher powers as well. Besides there IS NOT one town/city without crimes of any sort. Allegedly Raced UGA Assistant Before Fatal Crash, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Vegas- Miami vice-NYPD Blues-Dallas-The Hamptons on and on. I can certainly understand where he is coming from, said Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis, who admitted his surprise at Bourgeois decision. The infractions range from possible criminal actions, like theft, to breaches governed by the state Ethics Board. Such service has come with a price, Bourgeois said. Psychic Tia) likes to tell people that her job involves playing charades with the dead. But its far from just being fun and games for the New Jersey clairvoyant, as she takes her paranormal abilities quite seriously. Jefferson Parish is part of the Government industry, and located in Louisiana, United States. Vernon, was found dead from a . "Now we are monitoring everything and working with our financials to make sure we have new equipment, manpower and personnel," he added. No sheriff investigates another because we all know each other.. How Does the CBS True Lies Series Compare to James Camerons 1994 Movie. Sheriff deputies responded and found 42-year-old Chad Wildt of Evansville, outside with a gunshot wound to the face. Theyll also see parts of her home life, [], Tonights new episode of A&Es Duck Dynasty represents the last chance to play the Virtual Duck Call game on Twitter and win some beard-tastic prizes. @MikeScottTP @mzcoffman Try the sandwich! A records request by The Courier in 2014 turned up no documents exchanged between the Attorney General's Office and the Sheriff's Office related to the audit. State law also prohibits giving away public property or other things of value, such as inmate labor, to another person, association or corporation, public or private.. Larpenter was at the time resuming leadership of the office, following the single term of former sheriff Vernon Bourgeois, who took the reins after Larpenter left to pursue an unsuccessful bid to be Terrebonne's parish president in 2008. It's ingredients in the abstract do not accurately convey the taste. Those questioned thought he deserved time off after three decades of law enforcement work. Larpenter proceeded to fire two dozen staffers, many of which were featured prominently on the series. Following a month-long investigation, the state Attorney General's office did not find any evidence of criminal wrongdoing with regards to Foret and Stewart, Larpenter said. [2], The show focuses on the experiences of the Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana Sheriff's Office. Bourgeois has been chided for several violations during his tenure in office and has returned more than $15,000 in what the audit describes as ill-gotten gains. At worst, "Cajun Justice" exploits some of the most unflattering stereotypes outsiders might associate with south Louisiana, a place where, A&E says in defining the show's title, local Cajuns take the law into their own hands. Bourgeois was the subject of an audit that accused him of a variety of legal and ethical violations, including using Sheriff's Office cars to go to sporting events around the state and elsewhere, using on-duty deputies to film a TV show called "Cajun Justice," and accusations related to unpaid property taxes and about $350,000 worth of free renovations on a Savanne Road building now used by a private contractor to house an inmate work-release program. Bourgeois was the subject of an audit that accused him of a variety of legal and ethical violations, including using Sheriff's Office cars to go to sporting events around the state and. Its unclear if A&E will nix the show completely or attempt find a new department to work with, but for better or worse, Larpenters crew wont be on it. The show features most members of the sheriff's office, and also has members of the SWAT team, and other law enforcement agencies on the show. including 5 of the 7 cast members featured on the show. One of Larpenter's first steps upon resuming office was to order an extensive internal audit, the results and records of which he said he turned over to state auditors, the state Attorney General's office and the FBI. In Southern Louisiana, alligators are just a part of everyday life. Point taken. "These are two of the top individuals that I've ever had the pleasure of working with," Larpenter added, noting that the allegations came about in 2012 when he resumed office from former sheriff Vernon Bourgeois. Wrote Courier executive editor Keith Magill in a June 10 column, which also aired out some of the Facebook reaction: At best, it's mindless TV and a waste of time that could be better spent fighting real crime instead of make-believe voodoo rituals, Rougaroo sightings and other so-called dramatic recreations that have or will be featured. The agency typically does not comment on investigations that do not pose an immediate threat to public safety, he noted. Foret, who resigned from the Sheriff's Office on June 13, had been under federal investigation since 2012 for allegedly accepting federal money to conduct an underage drinking eradication program while simultaneously being paid for off-duty work between 2008 and 2012. Show your support. Follow Maki on Twitter at @mdlbsomosot. For various reasons, officials with the Sheriffs Office and Terrebonne District Attorneys Office say they wont get involved in any criminal investigation. Chad's brother, 36-year-old Shawn Wildt of Mt. The Terrebonne Sheriffs Department has been fairly quiet on Larpenters decision, but it did tell TMZ and other media outlets that they are no longer participating in the show. Fortunately for A&E, it already had enough footage to finish out the first and what we are presuming to be last season. One option is shooting the show in multiple parishes at once, making it a broader Cajun Justice highlighting several different departments, he said. RT @mzcoffman: Broccoli rabe, not broccoli. Just follow Duck Dynasty on Twitter, then wait for one of the affiliated accounts including Willie, Korie, Jase, Duck Commander and A&E to tweet #QUACK or see if you can spot #QUACK on air during the new episodes. COVID vaccine associated with fewer heart problems, study says, Major industrial development underway tied to NASA in New Orleans East, Warm and humid Thursday before a cold front Friday. The other three alleged violations pertain to Baby Oil and about $350,000 worth of free renovations on a Savanne Road building now used by a private contractor to house an inmate work-release program. District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. announced last week that Bourgeois paid the money. "Why would I even think about it?". The question that remains is whether any further action will be taken. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera handles the prosecution for Foret and Stewart's cases. The Terrabone Sheriff Dept. The reality of this reality TV situation is that A&E will lick its wounds, move on and find another show to fill the void. Many lawmen might have considered their own TV show a sweet perk to a new job, but not this badge-wielding cop. When a vicious alligator attacks a family's dog, Deputy Melissa "Catfish" Quintal must call . Tracking staffers in Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois' office and the citizens they police, the series met with some negative reaction by viewers in the parish, at least as reflected in the pages and. Former Terrebonne Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois has squared away paying the $19,175 the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says he owes the parish for gas, unauthorized leave and other expenses when he left office in 2011. Bourgeois did not give any indication as to what he intends to do after the first of the year when his term comes to an end. Paranoia maybe. She seems like she is outspoken enough to warrant at least 15 minutes of fame. 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