State audit reveals need for transparency
From Sunshine Review
20 August 2008
A state audit of Mandeville, Louisiana released August 11 details blatant abuse of city credit cards and city vehicles by Mayor Eddie Price and other city officials. This, along with other scandals plaguing the local government, has prompted a number of proposals that would increase transparency and accountability.
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[edit] Audit Findings
The state audit was instigated by the scandal-plagued Christmas toy fund led by Police Chief Tom Buell, which saw Price receive Wal-Mart gift cards from the fund. The audit would reveal more than anyone anticipated. Among its findings:
- Price accepted golf and hunting vacations from city contractors.
- Price charged almost $9,000 in personal expenses on his city credit card, including a Mexican cruise. He reimbursed the city $3,600.
- Over five years, Price and Financial Director Milton Stiebing charged over $5,500 in food and alcohol to city credit cards, most without proper documentation.
- Price, along with Planning Director Louisette Kidd and City Attorney David Cressy, charged hundreds on city fuel cards for city vehicles, while on out-of-state vacations.[1]
[edit] Council investigating Price
Concurrent with the release of the audit, the city council is investigating an incident from 2006, when Mandeville Police dropped off Price at City Hall after he had been drinking and found driving erratically. The police never tested him for alcohol.
On top of this, last April Price, apparently intoxicated, ran his car through a Causeway tollbooth barrier. Released by police, he would only receive a ticket several weeks later. That incident would result in the firing or resignation of four Causeway police, including Chief Felix Loicano.
Despite everything that has come out, Price has publicly stated he has no plans to step down. On the front page of the Mandeville website, he states, "I can say, unequivocally, that I have never intentionally done anything wrong, nor have I done anything that I did not believe was in the best interest of the City of Mandeville."[2]
[edit] Calls for Reform
Leading the charge for reform is City Councilwoman Trilby Lenfant. Her efforts have already led to a new credit card policy, which requires detailed receipts for all purchases. Meals also require a stated business purpose, along with the names of all attending. Previously, Mandeville had no written guidelines for city credit cards.
Other reforms in the works include a new vehicle fleet policy and the requirement that bids for professional service contracts are public. Lenfant has also called for the mayor and department heads to have their salaries frozen, and a yearly internal audit of city policies and procedures.
After the audit's findings, the Councilwoman was positive about the future, stating, "Hopefully we'll be a better government because of it. It's a tool to make our operations more efficient and more transparent."
