MANDEVILLE, La. — Councilmembers in St. Tammany Parish appeared to agree on Coroner-elect Christopher Tape, with each member voting yes on a motion early Friday morning to urge the doctor with a history of sex abuse charges against a 7-year-old girl to step down from his elected position.
All members also voted for a resolution to require background checks against all coroner employees.
While the council can pass a resolution, as an elected official there is little they can do to force Tape to step down. The doctor is still scheduled to swear in as coroner on March 25.
An explosive report from WWL Louisiana’s David Hammer in February set off calls by several officials to have Tape not assume office after he ran unopposed and was elected to replace current coroner Charles Preston.
“I was completely shocked that this came out,” said Slidell Councilman Trey Brownfield. “It’s worrisome that it wasn’t caught before he got his job at the coroner’s office.”
Tape had previously worked in the coroner’s office before he was fired by Preston over an unrelated dispute.
Hammer’s report showed that Tape was charged with six counts of child sexual abuse in 2002 but he did not stand trial due to court delays. The report also showed that Tape had recently paid out a civil settlement in 2022 regarding allegations of unwanted advances.
In addition to the council’s expected resolution, some state legislators have called for his resignation as has the Slidell City Council.
In response to the situation, Parish President Mike Cooper issued the following statement to WWL Louisiana on Friday:
“Having recently learned the details of Dr. Tape’s allegations, I am deeply concerned as Parish President and a citizen of St. Tammany. He will not have the public trust to lead the Coroner’s Office at a time when it is sorely needed.
"My only meeting with Dr. Tape was in mid-January, prior to my knowledge of the allegations against him. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss legislation to restore trust and accountability in the Coroner’s Office.
"On February 9, I wrote to the Northshore Legislative Delegation supporting action to restore financial oversight of the Coroner’s Office. We have the full support of our delegation and the Parish Council.
"Tape was elected as he was unopposed in the Fall elections as Dr. Preston failed in attempting to pick his own successor. I fully support the calling of a new election for the office of Coroner.”
You can watch David Hammer’s full report below.