Caddo Parish Commissioners Face Lawsuit For Open Meetings Law Breach

Seven Caddo Parish Commissioners are the targets of a lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Attorney General. The Commissioners are accused of violating Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law.

This legal skirmish centers on the decision by some Commissioners to issue a Resolution honoring Senator Bernie Sanders back in June when he brought his "Fight Oligarchy Tour" to Shreveport’s Municipal Auditorium. The resolution was presented to Sanders even though the full commission never voted on the resolution.

Attorney General Liz Murrill said the defendants “knowingly and willfully deliberated and approved” the resolution honoring Sanders. She says that resolution was prepared outside of a public meeting, but done so as an official act of the commission.
Murrill is asking for an injunction and the assessment of civil penalties against the seven commissioners who signed the resolution.

Credit: Louisiana Attorney General

What Commissioners Are Named in the Lawsuit?

Stormy Gage-Watts
Victor Thomas
Roy Burrell
Ron Cothran
Kenneth Epperson Sr.
Gregory Young
Steffon Jones

Commissioner Chris Kracman filed a formal complaint with the AG after finding out about this resolution.

Murrill also accuses Gage-Watts, Epperson and Thomas of taking similar action in having resolutions prepared outside of a formal meeting to honor former Mayor John Hussey and the anniversary of The Strand Theatre.

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Murrill says the public was not given notice of these actions and did not have an opportunity to comment before the resolutions were presented to the recipients.
She says that’s a direct violation of the Open Meetings Law.

Murrill says this conduct by some of the commissioners “reflects a pattern and practice” by individual commissioners to circumvent the law.

What Are the Specific Allegations?

1. Deliberating official business outside of publicly noticed meetings
2. Issuing resolutions styled as official acts of the commission without lawful proceedings
3. Failing to provide notice, agenda, or opportunity for public comment
4. Circumventing the constitutional and statutory mandates of transparency and open government.

This case is now headed before a Caddo District Court judge who will have to determine if the commissioners violated the law.
Settletalk.com reports attorney Jerry Harper is expected to be hired to represent the 7 commissioners. The report says his hourly rate is $350/hour.