One Bossier Council Member Accuses Mayor and City Attorney of Committing Crimes

Well, it looks like the honeymoon is over between Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler and the new City Council.

Things got heating during a special meeting of the council on Friday. Council Chairman Chris Smith appointed an investigative committee to look into the use of public funds to pay for parking lots at two Bossier City businesses: Scott’s Audio and Bossier Power Equipment. The committee is charged with looking into this expenditure and reporting back to the full City Council.

Brian Hammons chairs this committee. Debra Ross and Cliff Smith serve on this committee.

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The committee requested sworn statements from the Mayor, the CAO, the City Attorney and several others. The panel also requested all documents including emails and communications about this spending.

Hammons says the Mayor and the City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney did not submit any documentation. He says this is very concerning. Hammons says these three were the key decision makers in this action. Things got heated during Friday's investigative committee hearing.

Hammons recommended that “the investigative committee submit written notification to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and the District Attorney of Bossier Parish when there is reasonable cause to believe that public funds may have been misappropriated. Hammons also asked the committee to request an opinion from the state Attorney General. He is also asking the state police to conduct a full investigation.”

Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray took issue with the action of the investigative committee.

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Hammons says he believes crimes were committed because public bid laws were broken in getting these parking lots built.

Hammons says all the evidence shows city leaders did not handle this properly. Ray says he looks forward to this so he can clear his name. Hammons also

During the meeting, Ray said “if you are going to accuse me of crimes, I am going to stand up and defend myself because I have done nothing wrong and you know it.”

Ray also told the members of the committee this discussion should not be happening in a public meeting and should be held in executive session.

During a special meeting of the council after the investigative committee meeting, Chairman Chris Smith offered an apology for what happened during the committee meeting. He said “that was inappropriate and does not reflect the views of the entire council. I have always maintained that this council will operate under the utmost respect and decorum for each other and for the citizens of Bossier.” He says that is not how we are going to do business.

Mayor Tommy Chandler has asked that an executive session be held on August 12 to discuss this matter.