Independent Auditor Called In To Investigation Possible Wrongdoing With LUS
Feb 06, 2020 05:40PM ● By Flint Zerangue, Sr.
According to a Press Release issued Thursday afternoon, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory has named Carr Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors (CRI), a third-party audit firm, to conduct a full independent forensic audit of Lafayette Utilities Services’ (LUS) affiliate transactions and finances.
During his weekly radio show on KPEL this morning, Guillory announced that his administration will be submitting a formal request to the Louisiana State Police, asking for their assistance to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by some LUS employees who reportedly deleted company emails and records.
Guillory’s announcement is the latest development involving questionable financial practices within LUS over the past several years. Prior to leaving office, former Mayor-President Joel Robideaux launched an investigation into concerns related to illegal transfers and/or commingling of millions of dollars from LUS to LUS Fiber as a way to subsidize the internet and communications provider.
You may recall that before leaving office at the end of 2019, Robideaux revealed that his review discovered roughly $12 million in improper payments LUS made to LUS Fiber. A possible violation of state law which prohibits government entities from subsidizing related divisions.
Guillory also confirmed that due to the seriousness of the tampering allegations in 2019, LUS offices' were actually raided last fall by local police to secure documents.
“LUS is a critical asset of Lafayette Consolidated Government, representing almost half of our financial activity,” said Mayor-President Guillory. “We have to be confident that we know everything that is happening -- operationally and financially at LUS” Guillory said. “That is why I am calling for a full forensic audit of LUS by CRI” Guillory continued. “We need an unbiased, independent view of the situation at LUS so that we can apply the right remedy, restore the confidence of ratepayers and assure its integrity for financial markets,” Guillory concluded.
######
