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Jefferson Parish Ethics Commission Invites Council Members to Submit IG Concerns
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Jefferson Parish Ethics Commission Invites Council Members to Submit IG Concerns

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WVUE) – The Jefferson Parish Council and administration have been invited to appear before the body that oversees the employment of the parish’s inspector general.

Jefferson Parish Ethics and Compliance Commission (ECC) Attorney Jerry Sullivan confirmed to Fox 8 that the commission invited parish leaders to appear at the meeting scheduled for Nov. 20.

Sullivan said Wednesday (Oct. 30) that parish leaders’ presentation will be limited to 15 minutes.

District 5 Council Member Hans Liljeberg provided Fox 8 with a letter, dated Oct. 28, that he sent to Sullivan. It was co-signed by parish president Cynthia Lee Sheng and council members Marion Edwards, Deano Bonano, Byron Lee and Arita Bohannan.

In the letter, Liljeberg asked Sullivan for a special meeting to help find “a common understanding on how we can all ensure that the Office of Inspector General operates honestly and fairly.”

Liljeberg and the other council members who signed the letter have been vocal critics of Inspector General Kim Chatelain, since she published a 35-page letter questioning the benefits and transparency of a controversial deal with a Gretna brewery.

Chatelain did not interview anyone related to the deal, but instead relied on publicly available records for criticism of his letter. she has done it since subpoenas issued to the parties related to the deal.

The signatory council members. voted hire a law firm to investigate Chatelain “possible ethical violations and professional misconduct” related to the letter, and his self-described friendship with At-Large Council member Jennifer Van Vrancken.

Liljeberg later told Fox 8 that the selection of the law firm was delayed to allow the CEC to act.

Van Vrancken joined Chatelain in lobbying against brewery deal.

The other council members have expressed concern that Chatelain’s friendship with Van Vrancken influenced the IG’s actions, something both Chatelain and Van Vrancken have denied.

Liljeberg sent Fox 8 a statement saying, “Independence is the cornerstone of the Office of Inspector General. “I am surprised and disappointed that they are not calling a special meeting and want to limit the discussion to less than 2 minutes per person (six council members and one parish president).”

Chatelain did not respond to a request for comment.

Van Vrancken told Fox 8 he hopes the meeting provides an opportunity for better understanding and communication between the ECC and the council.

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