Ex-Opelousas Mayor to go before ethics board
From Sunshine Review
28 May 2008--Anna Simmons, the Mayor of Opelousas from 2002-2006, will appear before the Louisiana Board of Ethics on July 10. Accusations have arisen that Simmons received reimbursement for expenses while in office from a third party, while also receiving reimbursement for the same expenses from the city.[1]
In question is a trip that Simmons took with her then-assistant Monica Semien in July 2004 to Washington D.C., in order to represent the city at the Volunteers in Service to America Conference. The city reimbursed them for meals and travel expenses, but the Corporation of National and Community Service is said to have done the same. Simmons' allegedly received $862 from them, while Semien received $127.
The allegations arose during a 2006 compliance audit from the Louisiana Office of the Legislative Auditor. During the audit, Simmions was also faulted with failure to document over $12,000 in credit card expenses.
Also appearing before the Ethics Board on July 10 will be Louis P. Rom, the ex-Director of Community Development for Opelousas. He is said to have entered into a contract with the agency he oversaw while in office.
