911 director on paid leave pending board review

Zachary Anthony Benton
November 27, 2009
Leon Theriot Lock System opens
December 1, 2009
Zachary Anthony Benton
November 27, 2009
Leon Theriot Lock System opens
December 1, 2009

St. Mary Parish’s 911 Director Marie Anderson has been placed on administrative leave with pay until the parish’s 911 board investigates 11 indictments of fraud levied against her by a state agency.


The indictments stem from a yearlong investigation initiated by the Louisiana Department of Social Services Fraud and Recovery section. The office filed claims against Anderson as well as 13 others, two of whom were later arrested.


St. Mary Parish Director of Homeland Security Duval Arthur, who is a member of the parish’s 911 Board, said Anderson’s fate was decided at a recent meeting. “We’re still sorting through the information and, until then, we have decided to place Ms. Anderson on leave,” he said.

Meanwhile, St. Mary 911 Assistant Director Jeannie Bergeron takes over as interim director of the 911 system, according to Arthur.


A copy of the indictments show Anderson and 13 others “fraudulently diverted portions of federal monies, which were meant for the needy during times of disaster” and funneled it to “themselves, family, friends and others” residing in Franklin and in other areas.


Anderson was charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud; theft of $64.19 at a Wal-Mart in Alexandria; theft of $78.59 at a Safeway in Long Beach, Calif.; and theft of nearly $3,000 in food stamps during various periods.

However, a press release issued earlier in the week from the state Department of Social Services, stated that the office filed a 57-count indictment against all 14 suspects, with the entire theft scheme totaling more than $50,000.

The release states that the indictments were handed down in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, on Nov. 12.

Also arrested, according to DSS officials, were Franklin’s Edie Harrison, a former St. Mary Parish Office of Family Services employee; New Iberia’s Paula Bell; and Jeanerette resident Felicia Carroll, a state Department of Health and Hospitals staffer.

Among the others charged with fraud or food stamp/wire theft are: Teresa Hawkins, former parish manager of St. Mary Parish’s Office of Family Services; Angela Gray, Laura Wells, Harriet Williams, Andrea Broussard, Dorothy Reedom and Tawana Carson, all former St. Mary OFS employees; Barbara Sanders, area manager of St. Mary Parish’s DHH; Barbara Sonia, St. Mary DHH employee; and Shelia Blevins, Iberia Parish OFS employee.

According to documents supplied by the state DSS Fraud and Recovery section, 10 of the women were charged with 17 counts of wire fraud and three were charged with lying to a federal agent.

Marie Anderson – Facing multiple counts of food stamp fraud