City of Thibodaux makes arrests, reacts to bribery scandal

Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete said the city has suspended its community service program until it can craft a policy with ‘checks and eradicate an atmosphere that permitted an alleged bribery scandal orchestrated by city employees.

Trish Gaudet, a secretary with the city’s parks department, and Jeanette Anderson, a custodian with the recreation department, were arrested last week and each was charged with 17 felony counts of injuring public records. A city investigation found the women had allegedly forged community service documents in return for money.

‘I think we’re going to look at a whole new policy, Eschete said. ‘I can’t tell you right now if it’s going to be something solely within the recreation or parks department, or whether we’re going to bring somebody else from our police department into it. We certainly need to have a check on it so it’s not in the hands of one person.

‘We inherited a policy that was put in place that we assumed was working, Eschete continued. ‘It was evidently not working.

Gaudet and Anderson are charged with their involvement in accepting money from people who were tasked by the courts to complete community service requirements. In return for the money, Gaudet allegedly signed off on falsified time sheets.

Gaudet worked for the parks department and was responsible for documenting the date and duration of court-ordered community service, which she would report to City Court or the 17th Judicial District, Eschete said.

The Thibodaux Police Department launched its investigation on April 27 after an anonymous employee alerted the city of possible mischief, TPD spokesman Det. Ricky Ross said. Forty-seven days later, the first arrest was made.

Police used a sting operation to compile evidence, Ross said and Eschete confirmed. ‘Ms. Gaudet was videoed and recorded actually receiving money in lieu of making somebody work their time, Eschete said.

Anderson, whose role in the bribery scandal was uncovered through Gaudet’s interrogation, acted as the negotiator in the scheme, Ross said. ‘I guess she negotiated a price, he said.

The police department’s Criminal Investigation Division, after two arrests, is still investigating the scandal, Ross said. The TPD spokesman said he did not know whether or not the police department is investigating specific city employees at this point.

The mayor said he’s not certain how far back the allegations date but said he is sure it started prior to him taking office in January. ‘We’re still investigating that, he said. ‘To tell you I know how far these counts go back, I know it’s at least a year or a year and a half or so.

Neither the mayor nor the police department could specify the amount of money that exchanged hands in lieu of court-ordered community service.

The city’s employee of the month in May 2010, Gaudet was arrested June 13, and posted a $100,000 bond.

Anderson, who was arrested on June 16, has yet to post a $100,000 bond, Ross said.

Gaudet, who started working for the city in October of 2007, was terminated after she appeared before the Civil Service Board, Eschete said. She has the right to appeal her termination.

Anderson appeared before the Civil Service Board Tuesday, but the results of her hearing were unknown as of press time. She began work for the city in December of 2008, the mayor said.

Eschete said he worries the first public scandal under his administration has fractured the community’s trust in the city but said he believes transparency and a swift response to the allegations has sent a message.

‘It will not be tolerated, Eschete said. ‘This is not something we’re going to sweep under the rug. Under this administration and under [Thibodaux Police] Chief [Scott] Silverii’s administration if we have any suspicion that there’s any wrong-doing, even if it’s within our own ranks here and our employees with the City of Thibodaux, we’re not going to hesitate to take the appropriate actions to make sure those individuals are brought to justice.