Community service forger sentenced

One former City of Thibodaux employee accused of falsifying community service documents was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service while serving two years of probation under the Department of Corrections.

Trish Gaudet, a former secretary with the city’s parks department, pled guilty last month to filing false public records, a felony. Assistant District Attorney Joe Soignet said the sentence was not a result of a plea bargain.

“The judge imposed a sentence which he felt was fair, considering that the defendant had no prior criminal record,” Soignet said. “From our perspective, we are satisfied that she pled as charged to the felony.”

District Judge Jerome J. Barbera also ordered Gaudet to serve 60 days under house arrest. She was handed a two-year suspended sentence and will serve the time on probation.

Gaudet was one of two city employees charged with falsifying public records. Jeanette Anderson, a former custodian with the recreation department, was also charged with 17 counts in June.

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, Mayor Tommy Eschete said in June.

“Ms. Gaudet was videoed and recorded actually receiving money in lieu of making somebody work their time,” Eschete said.

Anderson, who allegedly operated as a negotiator in the bribery scandal and split the profits with Gaudet, will return to court for a pre-trial hearing Dec. 15.