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Jefferson Parish ethics commission invites council members to present on IG concerns
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Jefferson Parish ethics commission invites council members to present on IG concerns

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WVUE) – The Jefferson Parish Council and administration have been invited to make a presentation to the body that controls the employment of the county superintendent.

Jefferson County Ethics and Compliance Commission (ECC) attorney Jerry Sullivan confirmed to Fox 8 that the commission has invited county leaders to make presentations at the meeting scheduled for Nov. 20.

Sullivan said the district leaders’ presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 30, will be limited to 15 minutes.

Ward 5 council member Hans Liljeberg provided Fox 8 with an Oct. 28 letter he sent to Sullivan. It was co-signed by district president Cynthia Lee Sheng and council members Marion Edwards, Deano Bonano, Byron Lee and Arita Bohannan.

In the letter, Liljeberg asked Sullivan to hold a special meeting to help find “a common understanding of how we can ensure the honest and fair operation of the Office of Inspector General.”

Liljeberg and other council members who signed the letter vocal critics Chief Inspector Kim Chatelain He published the 35-page letter He questions the merits and transparency of a controversial Gretna brew pub deal.

Chatelain did not interview anyone connected to the deal, instead relying on public records for criticism in his letter. Since then subpoenas issued to the parties involved in the agreement.

Signing council members voted hiring a law firm To investigate the Chatelain “Possible ethical violations and professional misconduct” regarding the letter and what he calls his friendship with At-Large council member Jennifer Van Vrancken.

Liljeberg later told Fox 8 the law firm’s selection was as follows: delayed Allowing the ECC to take action.

Van Vrancken joins Chatelain Lobbying against brewpub deal.

Other council members expressed concern that Chatelain’s friendship with Van Vrancken was influencing the IG’s actions; this was denied by both Chatelain and Van Vrancken.

Liljeberg sent Fox 8 a statement that read: “Independence is the cornerstone of the Office of Inspector General. “I am shocked and disappointed that they will not call a special meeting and want to limit discussion to less than 2 minutes per person (six council members and one district chairperson).”

Chatelain did not respond to a request for comment.

Van Vrancken told Fox 8 he hopes the meeting provides an opportunity for better understanding and communication between the ECC and the council.

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