LAPLACE, La. -- St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom is coming under fire under accusations of creating illegal jobs and providing benefits to part-time employees who allegedly don't qualify.
The parish council voted Tuesday to investigate some of those allegations.
District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut wrote a four-page legal opinion that was read into the official record Tuesday. It points out a host of alleged parish administration violations.
"It's the opinion of this office that such conduct is in violation of the law and potentially amounts to malfeasance," said St. John the Baptist Parish Assistant District Attorney E. Jeffrey Perilloux
According to Dinvaut's opinion, the current parish administration under Robottom is accused of providing benefits to employees who don't qualify.
"It is this office's opinion that the Parish is currently operating in violation of both state law and the Parish Charter, in providing certain benefits, including retirement and vacation pay, to temporary employees who are not eligible for same," the opinion states.
Her administration is also accused of creating full-time positions without the required parish council authority and running at least two parish departments without council-approved department heads. The parish administration is also allegedly in violation of civil service laws.
Michael Wright, the council chairman, said he is disturbed by the legal opinions.
"Certainly I think this is something that won't go away anytime soon," he said. "Further action will need to be taken."
Robottom's chair inside parish council chambers sat empty. In a written statement, she said she was at home nursing an injury and hadn't had the chance to review the full opinion.
Also sitting inside parish council chambers was Kent Saint Amant, the St. John the Baptist Parish man who is running for parish president.
He said the need to turn to the state attorney general and district attorney for their opinions was a waste of tax dollars.
"I just think it's an example of what's been going on in the last 3.5 years," he said. "The council's been fighting with the parish president and back and forth."
Behind closed doors in an executive session, parish officials talked about what happens next. They eventually voted to accept and comply with the district attorney's recommendations and open an internal investigation.
You can read Robottom's full statement below:
"I have been out of the office for over a week due to a recent injury and have not had the opportunity to review the opinion in its entirety. Although many of the requests for clarification were initiated through my office, it is unfortunate that this item was added to the Council agenda at the last minute with full knowledge that I would not be in attendance. The opinion and recommendations have long been requested to address inconsistencies in both the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as the District Attorney's Office. I look forward to giving the opinion the time and attention it deserves and I am confident that all recommendations of substance can be rectified quickly."
