Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard said he wouldn't fire or suspend embattled CAO Tim Whitmer over an alleged insurance scandal despite some growing sentiment by council members and the public that he should do so.
Council members slipped into executive session, shortly after starting their monthly meeting Wednesday in Elmwood and after about a hour behind closed doors, they returned to the chamber, with some tough questions for parish President Aaron Broussard.
Councilman Louis Congemi asked, "Are you willing to, today, immediately fire Chief Administrative Officer Tim Whitmer?"
"At this time, I believe that due process should be allowed to run its course," Broussard responded over a chorus of boos from citizens waving "Fire Whitmer" signs in the air.
He also refused to suspend Whitmer, without pay, pending the outcome of a series of ethics and criminal investigations.
"Before any disciplinary action is taken, I believe there should be a finding of some fact that says that something has been violated, whether it be on the ethics side, the federal side and then you act appropriately based on what that finding is," said Broussard.
Federal and state authorities are now looking into Whitmer's private business dealings.
Documents indicate that Whitmer's company "Lagniappe Industries," may have secretly shared the commissions on a lucrative contract at the publicly-owned West Jefferson Hospital.
"I'm fed up with this issue," said Councilman John Young. "I think it should have been resolved a long time ago. I think Mr. Whitmer should have resigned and failing that, the parish president should have acted under the charter and terminated him."
Young says since Broussard refused, it's now up to the parish council to take action.
Members passed a resolution ordering Whitmer to appear at a disciplinary hearing, January 6.
Young says Whitmer is accused if violating a section of the parish charter which says, "No parish official or employee shall vote upon or otherwise participate in any financial transaction of the parish...if he has any direct or indirect financial interest in such transaction. Willful violation of this section shall be grounds for removal from office."
Citizens attending the council meeting left little doubt how they feel about the Whitmer matter.
"I can tell you that a lot of your constituents, including myself have lost confidence and trust in this government," said Al Morella of Kenner. "And, it's going to take a whole lot to restore this trust and this confidence back."
"Whether or not the council and President Broussard are friends of Mr. Whitmer and maybe they like Mr. Whitmer a whole lot, their obligation is to their constituents, not Mr. Whitmer," said Margie Seemann from the Citizens For Good Government.
The Jefferson Parish Council also asked the governor to appoint the state attorney general's office to conduct Whitmer's disciplinary investigation.
Whitmer was not present at Wednesday's council meeting.
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