Friday, August 9, 2013

KPD Investigating Cash-Handling In Code Enforcement

Responding to reports alleging improper cash-handling procedures and possibly missing money, the Kenner Police Department has begun an investigation into the City of Kenner’s Code Enforcement Department.

Mayor Yenni and City Attorney Keith Conley continue to maintain that the Yenni Administration has already investigated the department and found nothing improper.

Responding to a letter to Mayor Yenni from District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll that discussed allegations of wrongdoing in Code, Conley was defiant in his response to the Times-Picayune.

"For him to make this accusation without a scintilla of evidence is beyond belief," Conley said of Carroll on July 31. "I suggest people go file a police report and sign on the dotted line."

Conley, who despite earning $100,000 a year in salary and benefits from the City as an allegedly full-time City Attorney, also moonlights as a Personal Injury Attorney for a law firm owned by Mayor Yenni’s friend and campaign contributor.

Conley is also a former JPSO deputy who knows a little something about having his name in police reports and civil lawsuits as well.

Hopefully, this KPD investigation will be completed fairly and the results given to the public, and, if there is any missing money or wrongdoing, the KPD will prosecute everyone to the fullest extent of the law.

In August of 2011, I along with others including theTimes-Picayune, called for an investigation into the Kenner Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (KCVB). At a subsequent Kenner City Council meeting, Mayor Yenni and Police Chief Steve Caraway both said that the KPD was investigating charges of improper financial maneuvering at the now-defunct group.

In December of 2011, the Times-Picayune wrote a follow-up about the investigation and quoted KPD officials as saying that there was no timetable for the completion of their investigation.

Once the police probe is finished, police will consult with the District Attorney's office to determine if criminal charges are warranted, which is normal procedure, said Police Chief Steve Caraway.

Well, it’s August 2013 and we still don’t know the results of the KPD investigation into the KCVB, when it will be completed or even if it’s already completed or what the JP District Attorney’s Office has to say.

Let’s hope this investigation into another embarrassment for the City of Kenner and its residents is a little quicker.