Slidell, La. -- A Metairie man faces charges for allegedly stealing pieces of the old Twin Span bridge, and selling them.
Jason Hedges, who is now out on bond, worked for a company hired by the state to demolish pieces of the bridge. But investigators say Hedges was selling scrap on the side, to the tune of $750,000.
On a plot of land near Lakeshore Estates in Slidell, a company hired by the state crushes pieces of the old Twin Span bridge to make concrete mattresses. The mattresses are used to help shore up levees during a hurricane.
The company is also responsible for getting rid of the scrap metal from the old bridge. That's where Jason Hedges comes in.
St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain explains, "He was basically taking some of the material, going to a different scrap contractor and taking some of the money for himself."
Strain says detectives have traced over $300,000 in cash payments made to Hedges, but they think the total value of the scrap he sold is $750,000.
Strain says the payments began in November 2011, and it appears Hedges was selling scrap to more than one company.
"The companies have some responsibility, that would be reasonable and if we find evidence to show that they were aware he was circumventing the process in place by his company, then they could be culpable as well," Strain said.
Sheriff Strain says this isn't the only theft his deputies have been investigating in recent months and it's all because of the state of the economy.
"Any time you have an economic situation where your money's not going as far, we see more thefts and burglaries and frauds through businesses. And we try public education as much as possible but unfortunately this is a reminder for so many that greed shouldn't push you to do something so stupid," the sheriff commented.
Jason Hedges now faces one count of theft over $1500, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
Sheriff Strain says more arrests may be coming, as the investigation into this crime continues.
Jason Hedges (STPSO)
