Metairie - The scandal involving Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard's Chief Administrative Officer has some asking if the parish needs an inspector general.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission says an inspector general could help solve the parish's problems.
"They prevent waste mismanagement and identify and impede corruption so does Jefferson Parish have issues that could be addressed by and inspector general? Absolutely," said the MCC's Rafael Goyeneche.
Parish CAO Tim Whitmer, who works in Broussard's office, is under federal investigation for a business arrangement that got him 44-percent of commissions on a West Jefferson Medical Center employee supplemental insurance deal.
Goyeneche asked the parish council to hire an independent investigator, which he says wouldn't be necessary if the parish had an IG in place.
Broussard says he doesn't think an inspector general is the answer.
"You've got a good checks and balance. The council has strong authority to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations and it's a real balance of power there," said Broussard Friday morning on Fox 8 News.
"Just look at what you have playing out right now. I think an inspector general's office could help the parish respond to this and if it were there in place for a period of time, it would probably reduce the potential for the type of scenario we see playing out right now in Jefferson parish," said Goyeneche.
Councilman Chris Roberts says he's all for transparency and would consider supporting the idea of an IG but he's not ready to bring in another independent investigator in the meantime.
"The proper individuals who are responsible for looking into these things have obviously put the wheels in motion and we need to see where that takes us," said Roberts.
Roberts believes what the council should be considering now is reconvening the parish's charter commission, which, among other things, is responsible for fielding complaints from the public.
Roberts says the charter commission has not met since before he joined the council in 2004.
Whitmer's attorney says there should be just one investigation into his client's possible ethics violation.
Dane Ciolino wants the parish administration and council to send whatever information they've gathered so far to the ethics board for its review.
"We're kind of baffled exactly what provisions of the code of ethics people contend that he's violating because he had no authority over any of these contracts, no role in awarding any of the contracts, insurance contracts at issue," said Ciolino.
The feds sent subpoenas to Jefferson parish this week asking for contracts and other documents related parish employee insurance benefits.
