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February 10, 2015OUR VIEW: Mardi Gras a family affair in Terrebonne, Lafourche – let’s keep it that way
February 10, 2015No law prohibits convicted criminals from being Mardi Gras royalty, riding in parade floats or belonging to krewes, and there is no public outcry suggesting that should be the case.
Former Gov. Edwin Edwards, convicted of racketeering, was Grand Marshal for the 2013 Krewe of Hercules parade in Houma, is the most recent known example.
But individual Carnival clubs as private organizations are free to make their own rules, whether they concern felons overall or – relevant to a dilemma currently facing Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras – registered sexual offenders.
The 2015 king of that krewe, Glynn J. Matherne Jr., was convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 2003 after entering a guilty plea.
He was arrested Monday for taking part in last year’s parade, allegedly while wearing a mask. A sheriff’s 0ffice investigation ensued after an inquiry was made asking why a sex offender was made a Carnival king. Although legal experts say no law prohibits him from doing so, Matherne is considering not riding this year on his king’s float because of fear that further legal problems could still ensue.
The law does say that registered sex offenders may not wear masks or give gifts to children. But there is no way of knowing how many people who are registered sex offenders participate in parades or belong to krewes.
“They sign a paper stating they will not violate any laws while engaged in krewe activities,” said SP LaRussa, captain of Houma’s Krewe of Hercules, the parish’s largest Carnival organization.
Larpenter has been advising krewe leaders during this year’s safety meetings that they are responsible for determining whether there are offenders in their midst.
He recommends cross-checking to see if members are also on the list of offenders, which is publicly accessible through the local Sheriff’s Office websites. Larpenter’s, www.tpso.net and Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre’s, www.lpso.net both have links to sex offender databases which can be checked by name, address or community.
Terrebonne Parish has 473 registered offenders; Lafourche has 298.
Some Carnival clubs require a driver’s license to be shown when applying for membership. In Louisiana, driver’s licenses state if a person is on the sex offender list. But there is no evidence that annual checks are done.
Leaders of some small krewes contacted last week said they know their members, and hadn’t thought to check for sex offenders.
Nationally recognized Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy said in an interview that particularly as regards Carnival royalty, krewes would be well-advised to take the time to check.
“I would be concerned for any one in this type of situation,” Hardy said. “The krewe is saying this is our royalty, and we are honoring him. This should be a wake-up call.”
