Jefferson Parish - On the heels of yet another round of subpoenas in Jefferson Parish, council members make a move that aims to restore the public's trust with a resolution to create an office of Inspector General.Council member Tom Capella authored the resolution but the idea isn't exactly brand new. Other council members tossed the idea around earlier this month as a direct response to the federal investigation of former Parish President Aaron Broussard's Administration. Broussard resigned just 4 days after the resignation of his top administrator, Tim Whitmer.
Problems for the administration started back in November after the disclosure that Whitmer's private insurance agency, Lagniappe Industries, participated in a secret fee splitting deal with a public hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center.
The resolution calls for the creation of a 5 member committee. The panel members would be chosen by 5 different organizations, including one that keeps a close eye on how taxpayer dollars are spent, the Bureau of Governmental Research.
Capella says he has the support of the council and expects the resolution to pass. That vote will happen next Wednesday at the council meeting.
