HPD officer’s lawsuit dismissed

A Houma police lieutenant’s lawsuit claiming he was harassed by superiors has been rejected by a federal judge in New Orleans.

Lt. Darryl Cunningham had sued Terrebonne Parish government, interim Houma police chief Todd Duplantis and detective Travis Theriot, who conducted an investigation involving Cunningham.

Cunningham had alleged his poor evaluation and multiple job reassignments were a form of harassment because of his friendship with former Police Chief Pat Boudreaux.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle disagreed this week and dismissed the lawsuit.

Cunningham, his attorney, Romaine White of Houma, and Duplantis declined comment after Monday’s ruling.

Attorney David Allen, who represented parish government and the Houma Police Department, said the judge made a “thoughtful” decision.

Lemelle’s ruling followed two days of conflicting testimony from Cunningham and Duplantis about a pair of investigations against the lieutenant. One involved Cunningham opening a letter addressed to Donna Wedgeworth, Duplantis’ secretary. Another involved Cunningham contacting a newspaper about whether a Houma Municipal Civil Service Board election notice was properly posted.

Cunningham was disciplined for opening the letter but later cleared by the Civil Service Board and a Terrebonne judge. No disciplinary action was taken as a result of his call to The Courier, and no criminal charges were ever filed.

Lemelle said neither investigation violated Cunningham’s rights.