Accepting the Challenge
March 13, 2019
Cantrelle files suit against Parish Council
March 15, 2019
Lafourche Parish Councilman Luci Sposito says she was just doing her job when she questioned Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle as to why his salary and the salary of the risk manager, Brent Abadie, had a 29 percent increase.
” As a council member, I have to do my job and asking question on behalf of the Lafourche Parish residents is part of what I was elected to do. Furthermore, the salaries of every person paid by taxpayer dollars is public record. This is nothing new. The public has the right to know the salaries of every federal, state, and local government employee/official,” Sposito said.
The District 2 Councilman spoke out after Cantrelle accused most of the council of playing “ping-pong” with his salary, saying comments made at the Feb 26 council meeting was, “pure dirty politics. A smear campaign based on lies.”
Cantrelle also referred to the council as a, “Gang of Bullies.”
A video of the Feb 26 Lafourche Parish Council meeting shows Lafourche Legislative Auditor Reggie Bagala reporting audit results to the council, saying that two salaries, the parish president and the risk manager, had a 29 percent increase during the first two pay periods of 2019.
Based on a 26 week pay period count (being paid bi-monthly for a year), the salary of the parish risk manager grew to $91,000 from $65,250. Also, the salary of the parish president
saw an increase to $160,000 from $113,100.
“Both of these jobs are on pace to pay these salaries for the year,” Bagala said.
The video shows Sposito saying she wanted to ask the administration about the “generous pay raises” or “supposed, suspected pay raises.”
She asked Cantrelle, “Did Brent Abadie get a pay raise this year?”
Cantrelle replied, “Mr. Abadie had extra duties. I don’t think he got a pay raise. I gave him extra duties to do, and he accomplished those. It’s in my power to do that.”
Sposito asked, “So what Mr. Bagala reported-is that incorrect?”
Cantrelle said, “I don’t know if that is incorrect. I do not have the figures in front of me. But I did give him a lot of extra duties to do.”
Sposito said, “Well then let me get to yours. Did you receive a pay increase?”
Cantrelle replied, “I don’t know. I never look at my check.”
“You never look at your check?” Sposito asked.
“No I don’t. But I know my salary is an average of the sheriff, the assessor and the clerk of court,” Cantrelle said.
Sposito asked Cantrelle who decided how much to pay him, and he said that the parish human resources department does that, but he wasn’t sure.
“I have no clue,” he said.
Then Sposito recalled an instance in 2017, where she said Cantrelle had two checks cut, one for $25,000 and then another for $13,779.31, because he felt he wasn’t being paid enough in his salary. However, the district attorney required that he pay the money back.
“Also, the district attorney commented that no supplemental appropriation was filed in the matter, and a supplemental appropriation was required. In the event that supplemental appropriation was not filed this year, would you think that be appropriate?” Sposito aked.
“I have no clue,” Cantrelle said.
“Look, I don’t know where you are going with this.”
“I think my salary was calculated according to the ordinance.”
“Let me interrupt you Luci. You are trying to make this thing into some type of political deal,” Cantrelle said to Sposito.
“Listen Luci, let me tell you something. This was done in 2014, I had nothing to do with it,” Cantrelle said, as he made comments about his salary.
“I can’t give myself a raise,” Cantrelle said. “I know that.”
Sposito and Cantrelle go back and forth on the issue a few more times when Cantrelle interrputs her and says, “Let me stop you Miss Luci. Save it for the campaign. Save it for the campaign and I will bring up things about you also.”
Sposito replies, “Please do Mr. Cantrelle.”
Councilman Jerry LaFont questions Bagala more on the issue, centering on the pay periods so far in 2019.
Bagala reports that records show a pay check was cut to Cantrelle in the amount of $4,783.70. It was then subtracted that day, and a second check was cut in the amount of $6,014.09, on the same day.
Then on Feb 8, another check was cut for $6,150.79.
Councilman Jerry Jones then suggested the matter be turned over to the district attorney.
“This is just uncalled for,” Jones said
Questions surround the pay increase Parish President received, but he says his salary is set based on averages of other salaries in the parish.
Tensions remain high within the Lafourche Parish Council after questions continue to emerge regarding the pay of Lafourche Parish President Jimmy canttrelle. Cantrelle says the questions are bullying from the council. Members of the council say they are just doing their jobs.
