There’s no place like home
October 3, 2018
African American Museum receives slave baptisms, inducts Bishop Fabre
October 3, 2018
Terrebonne Parish detectives have received a full accounting of equipment listed as missing during an audit of a Houma recreation district.
Further investigation concerning concession receipts for District 2-3, which is now operated by a new public board appointed by the Terrebonne Parish Council, continues, a spokesman for Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.
In addition, Larpenter’s detectives are conducting a separate investigation into gate receipts from a Babe Ruth League softball tournament in 2017, which concerns both employees of Rec District 2-3 and officials at the Terrebonne Parish Parks and Recreation Department.
“TPSO detectives have conducted a thorough investigation and have located every piece of equipment that was allegedly missing,” Maj. Malcolm Wolfe, Chief of Detectives, said last week.
Although he did not supply details, Wolfe said in response to a question about the case that “the equipment was all in an okay place and accounted for.”
In the same statement, Wolfe addressed still unresolved questions surrounding District 2-3’s finances.
“Detectives have interviewed multiples witnesses and employees and former employees regarding the missing finances and the investigation is ongoing,” Wolfe said, noting that anyone having information regarding the investigation is encouraged to call his office at (985)876-2500.
In connection with various investigations concerning recreation entities, judges have issued subpoenas for documents including some bank records, according to law enforcement personnel familiar with the investigation.
In connection with the issues surrounding the parish’s recreation department — a separate entity from its recreation boards — Parish President Gordon Dove had ordered an audit. An inquiry concerning the Babe Ruth gate receipt money began at around the same time that audit was released.
There were no entries in any parish records for money collected from the gate receipts, which were promised to the parish government as part of a joint agreement between its officials, the Babe Ruth League, and Recreation District 2-3.
The chairman of the new Recreation 2-3 board, Michael Bergeron, was asked for comment on the developments but did not respond.
Terrebonne’s recreation districts, like those in some other parishes, were created by the Louisiana State Legislature. When Terrebonne underwent consolidation, according to an opinion issued by Attorney General Jeff Landry, the ability to oversee the districts inured to the parish.
Toward that end, the parish council passed an ordinance last year cementing the oversight privilege. In particular, council members were concerned with overseeing District 2-3 and District 11.
Since questioning about operations of districts began last year, the parish president established a board made up of officials from all eleven districts in Terrebonne, which meets regularly to address common concerns.
