Draft:List of Louisiana political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Louisiana. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included. Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal. Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence. Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included. Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings. The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later. Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Louisiana

• Karen Carter Peterson (D) State Senator from New Orleans in District 5, and Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party was accused of taking $ 140,000 from her election campaign fund to pay her gambling debts. She was found guilty and sentenced to 22 months in prison. (2022)

• Wesley T. Bishop (D) State Senator from District 4, was accused of falsely claiming that property he owned that was renovated with federal HUD funds, contained tenants. When it was discovered this was not true, he was sentenced to four years probation, fined $188,000 and disbarred. (2020)

• Jerod C. Prunty (R) District Director to US Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) from the 3rd District, was arrested for pandering after a 17 month investigation of prostitution and human trafficking. He resigned. (2019)

• Tom Schedler (R) Secretary of State, was accused by his female Executive Secretary of sexual harassment, which included visits, propositions, unwanted gifts, sex tapes plus retaliation when she refused his advances.. Schedler resigned. (2018)

• Troy E. Brown (D) State Senator from Napoleonville in District 12, pled not guilty to two charges of domestic abuse involving two different women. He resigned his seat before expulsion. (2017)

• Delrice J. Augustus ( ) Director of the Bureau of Auditing and Compliance Services for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services , pled guilty to theft of $150,000. He was found guilty and sentenced to 37 months in prison. (2010)

• Kaneasha Goston ( ) Auditor in the Bureau of Auditing and Compliance Services, pled guilty to theft, and was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to repay $10,000. (2010)

• Derrick Shepherd (D) State Senator from the 3rd District, was accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was found guilty of one count, resigned his senate seat and was sentenced to 37 months in prison. (2008)

• Girod Jackson III (D) State Representative from the 87th District, was convicted of tax evasion for failing to file federal income tax returns for 2006, 2007 and 2008 totaling $80,000. He was sentenced to three months in jail and nine months of home confinement. (2006)

• Jerry Thomas (R) State Senator from Franklinton, pled no contest to one count of lewd conduct at an adult bookstore. He was given a 30 day suspended sentence, with six months probation, and fined $350. (2002)

See also:

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of federal political sex scandals in the United States
• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

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Categories:

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• Political scandals in Louisiana
• Louisiana-related lists