Claudet fires OEP director

Jerrold Richard was fired Monday as Terrebonne Parish director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said Parish President Michel Claudet.

Claudet said he is hesitant to comment on personnel matters and did not give a specific reason for Richard’s termination. He said only that Richard served at the parish president’s discretion and that it was his decision to terminate him.

However, Richard’s attendance at an LSU football game in Baton Rouge during hurricane relief efforts was criticized by some residents. The incident received publicity on at least one New Orleans area radio station. He reportedly used a parish-assigned SUV to drive to Baton Rouge.

Claudet suspended Richard as director around two weeks ago, but still defended him, saying Richard may have received at least two approvals for his actions. He also said the parish Office of Emergency Preparedness was fully manned during the hurricane recovery efforts.

Richard, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, had been appointed director on March 26 after receiving approval from the Terrebonne Parish Council at its regular meeting. Richard is described in his resume as being an experienced civilian and military diplomat and a former official U.S. Air Force Inspector General.

With his appointment, he replaced as OEP director Michael Deroche, who had held that position for ten years.

Claudet stated in a release that no plans have been made to name a replacement.

Claudet fires OEP director