Metairie - Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick, Jr. confirmed Thursday his office has been working with federal authorities in connection with the ongoing investigation into the dealings of Lagniappe Industries, a company under JP Chief Administrative Officer Tim Whitmer. Connick says his office has been investigating for one month.
Meantime, most members of the Jefferson Parish council have been quiet on the Tim Whitmer scandal, to the point where some voters are getting frustrated and even sending angry messages. West Bank councilman Chris Roberts says there's good reason for their silence.
"If there was a criminal case before a judge and a judge was out speculating on a defendant's guilt or innocence then that would lead right into an appeal cause it would be determined that the judge had rendered a decision prior to due process," says Roberts.
The January hearing is the council's only option to take any meaningful action in the Whitmer case and Roberts doesn't want to foil the process.
"It's frustrating that we can't speak out on this more but we've got to be respective of what the law is and we don't want to put the hearing in jeopardy," Roberts added.
Council member John Young has publicly called for the parish president to fire Whitmer several times. He says it's his duty, and doesn't believe it will hurt the council's hearing.
"We represent 450,000 people in Jefferson Parish. I have a feduciary duty as do the other council members, to the taxpayers we represent. We have an obligation to protect the public fisk," said Young.
On Wednesday, Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard ordered Whitmer to take annual leave so he would be removed from day to day parish business until the federal, state and parish investigations are complete.
Critics say annual leave is the equvilant to paid vacation, not to mention Whitmer's sizeable pension stays in tact.
Roberts is speaking out on that issue.
"I personally would prefer that he be on leave without pay so that you're not accumulating time towards retirement, but then again we don't have any authority over that decision."
Whitmer's troubles started last month after news that the insurance company he owns with his wife and former parish president tim Coulon shared is a secret fee splitting deal on West Jefferson Medical Center employee benefits contract.
Voters who've taken a public stand on the Whitmer case are eager to hear the CAO's side of the story at the January 6th council hearing.
But it's possible that won't happen. Considering there's a criminal investigation underway, Whitmer could decide to invoke his fifth amendment right.
There's also a chance much of the council hearing could be held in executive session. Roberts says that's usually how personnel matters are handled. The council is waiting for the Attorney General Office's to give an opinion on that.
Whitmer could also have the option of filing an appeal if council members are accused of tainting the process, which Roberts says would drag out the process even longer.
