JEFFERSON, La. - The widening scandals engulfing Jefferson Parish took another turn today as former Parish President Aaron Broussard’s ex-wife was laid off from her position as a paralegal supervisor, a $65,000 job that came under scrutiny because she actually worked in another department processing ID cards.
Karen Parker, who started working for the parish in 1992, was let go along with another employee, Jefferson Parish Constable Antoine “Tony” Thomassie. Like Parker, Thomassie’s employment has come under review because he was listed as a paralegal, but actually worked in the Code Enforcement department.
“Their positions have been discontinued as of today,” spokeswoman Pat Borne confirmed. “It’s a personnel matter, so we really can’t talk about anything else.”
Steve Theriot, the interim parish president who took over when Broussard resigned abruptly Jan. 8 amid a federal probe into parish contracts, said earlier he was reviewing Parker’s position and work history.
Parker married Broussard in May 2004, six months after he was elected parish president. The couple divorced in October.
