FBI Raids Ouachita Parish, LA Sheriff’s Office

By Stacy Temple and Barbara Leader / www.newsstar.com of Feb. 9, 2011

A team of FBI agents gathered evidence at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday in what was described as an “ongoing investigation.”

 
Robert King, FBI supervising senior resident agent for Alexandria and Monroe, briefs the media about an investigation involving the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. (Michael Dunlap/The News-Star)

At least seven agents arrived at the Sheriff’s Office about 4 p.m. Tuesday in four vehicles, including a Chevrolet Tahoe and a van. Four of the agents left the premises around 7 p.m. Tuesday without commenting on the investigation. They returned shortly after 8 p.m.

The agents continued their work until after 10 p.m.

Supervising senior resident agent for Monroe and Alexandria Robert King spoke briefly Tuesday to confirm they were FBI officials and that the agents’ work was part of an “ongoing investigation.” King did not provide any details about the investigation or who might be under investigation.

Sheriff Royce Toney had been in Vidalia for a sheriff’s conference Tuesday and returned late in the afternoon, after agents had already started their work. Toney did not park in his reserved space and did not enter through the front of the building. Efforts to reach Toney were unsuccessful.

Chief Deputy Jay Russell, when reached Tuesday night, said he was not at the office and did not know if Toney was still there. Asked if Toney would make a statement, Russell said, “I don’t know.”

The investigation continues a string of difficulties for Toney.

The sheriff, on more than one occasion, has been cited in audits for violating public bid laws by using inmate labor on building projects that, based on size, fell under the law.

Renovations to his office were completed through the use of inmate labor, as was work at the rifle range. Toney also was planning to use inmate labor to renovate an old school building to house the patrol division and the department’s work release program.

Toney admits to violating the law, arguing that by doing so he has saved taxpayers money.

When Toney announced his plan for the old Ridgedale Academy in northwestern Ouachita Parish, residents protested. Residents told Toney they were concerned about the type of inmates that the facility would house as well as a decline in property values after the facility is in operation. They were upset that Toney decided on the plan without a public hearing on the matter.

The sheriff also has had to answer questions concerning campaign fundraising efforts.

The News-Star’s review of campaign finance reports and campaign literature published by Toney has found that the first-term sheriff appears to have violated state law prohibiting the donation of public funds for political purposes.

Toney had his chief financial deputy Craig Rambin prepare several campaign finance reports that were required to be submitted to the Louisiana Ethics Administration. Toney also asked campaign supporters to send their contributions to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office post office box.

Toney also appears to have violated the law by allowing campaign supporters to fire Ouachita Parish SWAT firearms during a fundraising event at the department’s training center.

The state constitution prohibits “the funds, credit, property or things of value of the state or any political subdivision” from being loaned, pledged or donated to or for any person. Toney maintains no laws have been violated and that he has taken steps to prevent any laws from being broken.

In August, Toney was sued by his former chief financial officer Robert M. Stewart for back due wages. Stewart is suing his former employer for $15,522.88, which includes past due and accrued vacation pay.

In December, Toney was named in a divorce petition as the other man.

Larry Glen Culp separated from his wife, Laurie Schween Culp, on Nov. 11 after he discovered she allegedly had been having an adulterous affair with Toney since fall 2008.

According to the petition, Laurie Culp and Toney had sex at a training facility inside the fence of the Monroe Regional Airport, in the St. Francis Medical Center parking lot the night Sheriff’s Deputy J.R. Searcy was fatally shot, at Toney’s home, in the parking lot of the Monroe Athletic Club and other parking lots throughout Ouachita Parish.

Toney has said he played no part in the disintegration of the Culps’ marriage.

“I’m personally offended by the allegations outlined in this lawsuit,” Toney said at the time.