Local
ethics case

Former Iberia Parish Councilman Caesar Comeaux, who served as interim parish president in 2007, is facing charges from the state Ethics Administration for allegedly violating a state ethics law when he was appointed parish president.

Comeaux, who was involved in parish politics for 31 years, was appointed by the Iberia Parish Council to serve as interim parish president after former Iberia Parish President Will Langlinais resigned after pleading guilty to malfeasance in office charges.

Kathleen Allen, ethics deputy general counsel, said someone who served on a board or council is prohibited by state law from being appointed to any position by the former board the person served on for two years.

However, Langlinais, who was serving on the Parish Council when former Parish President Craig Romero won a state Senate seat in 1992, was appointed to parish president by the council in the same manner as Comeaux.

Allen said she believes the council does not face any liability for making the appointment.

Comeaux’s is one of 18 ethics cases that have been turned over to the ethics adjudicatory board, which is comprised of seven law judges who “provide a neutral forum where the board of ethics can present their case and respondents can respond,” said Vivian Guillory, general counsel for the adjudicatory board.

The Ethics Board concluded Comeaux’s investigation in May, but it has taken more than six months to be turned over because of the changes in ethics laws and several members leaving the board.

The hearings have not been scheduled yet, and Guillory said it will take some time to contact the persons involved.

Comeaux declined to comment on the case.