MORVANT TO STEP DOWN AS LAFOURCHE DA

Lafourche Parish District Attorney Cam Morvant is stepping down in November.

Morvant announced this week that his last day as DA will be on Nov. 3, after which First District Attorney Kristine Russell will take over for him. Morvant cited minor health issues over the past year as an impetus to take stock of his life and service to the parish.

“When I sought a third term as District Attorney in 2014, it was because I felt I still had so much to give to the office and this parish,” Morvant said. “My passion for the job has not changed, but life has a way of forcing you to take a hard look at what you can realistically accomplish when health and age become increasingly important factors in your life.”

Morvant has been Lafourche’s district attorney since 2003, having started as an assistant district attorney more than 30 years ago. He thanked the residents of Lafourche for the trust they placed in him over the more than 14 years as the chief legal official in the parish. He said he will remain in the office as an assistant district attorney for as long as he is able. Morvant said the

move will give him more time to work with the Lorio Foundation, a local nonprofit he co-founded over 20 years ago. According to Morvant, he will begin a new job in 2018 assisting the day-to-day operations of the foundation.

“It is no secret that the office of District Attorney is a demanding one,” Morvant said. “There are no office hours, and our job extends far beyond the courtroom. There are few aspects of public government with which we are not involved. The people of this parish deserve a District Attorney who can give all of oneself, all of the time.”

Russell will remain as District Attorney until at least 2021, when the winner of the 2020 election will take over. Morvant said his decision was aided by the fact that he could hand the leadership position to someone he trusted as much as Russell.

“One thing that has made this decision somewhat easier is knowing that the office will be in the hands of such a skilled and capable leader,” Morvant said.

Morvant said he sought re-election in 2014, which he won unopposed, because he had things to finish, such as the David Brown triple murder trial that ended in a guilty conviction and death penalty. Morvant said he is at peace with his transition and leaves the head post of Lafourche’s legal office with his head held high.

“I’m looking forward to the future,” Morvant said. “I’m not retiring, and I’m not resigning. I’m resetting a button in life, is the way I look at it. I’m moving onto another chapter in life. I’m good with the decision.”