BATON ROUGE, La. -- Richard Laurent -- or Mr. Richard as he is known at the State Capitol -- knows a thing or two about politicians.

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After 24 years of working as a mail sorter for five governors, he knows to never accept a free lunch from an elected official.

"They're always going to want something," he said.

Make no mistake, Laurent likes his job.

Even though he turned 90 this month, he plans to keep showing up four days a week to supervise the student workers who help him handle the mail for the Governor's Office.

His birthday was July 3. He celebrated his milestone on July 2 at a surprise party thrown by current and former workers of five administrations. Family and friends crowded into the fourth floor press conference room for the party, which featured four cakes.

Gov. Bobby Jindal attended the festivities. Former Govs. Edwin Edwards, Buddy Roemer, Mike Foster and Kathleen Blanco sent letters of congratulations.

Roemer wrote that he usually associates 90 with "the percentage of my hard-earned money that the government takes from me."

Foster asked for the secret to Laurent's longevity.

Blanco said Laurent is an institution and "truly a Capitol insider."

Edwards' letter came on a typewritten sheet of paper dated April 24. The former governor, an inmate at Oakdale federal prison camp, extended regrets for being unable to attend the party.

"I wish you well and hope to see you when I celebrate my 90th," wrote Edwards, who will turn 81 this year.

Laurent just might be there to see Edwards blow out his candles. Although Laurent's mother "died young" at age 83, his father lived to be 100.

At 90, Laurent still drives and runs his own errands. His work responsibilities include ensuring that letters to the governor are opened and dated.

Of the five governors who have been his boss, Edwards got the most mail, he said.

Laurent got a visit from the FBI thanks to Edwards.

During the investigation into the riverboat license that landed Edwards in prison, the FBI called Laurent and asked for an interview. He said two agents questioned him for two hours about Edwards' friends and employees.

Laurent did not get subpoenaed but he did attend parts of the trial. He said Edwards received a sentence that is tougher than the ones some murderers receive. He is convinced that his former boss is merely a victim of his own generosity.

It was Edwards who talked Laurent into taking the job he has held for more than two decades.

After retiring as an assistant press superintendent from Capital City Press, which owns The Advocate, Laurent worked on Edwards' gubernatorial campaign. He said Edwards asked him to join the governor's office and he agreed as long as it was a part-time job.

Edwards ranks as the best governor he worked for, Laurent said.

"I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't go to the picture show .. But I do like to play the slot machine. I took that from Edwin."

Another favorite boss was Blanco.

The day he had open-heart surgery last year, Blanco called the hospital to check on him, he said. A few weeks later, she called again, this time to urge him to get well and to return to work, Laurent said.

"She was compassionate," he said.

Recently, Laurent told his daughter he might retire when he turned 90. She urged him to reconsider. In the end, he took his daughter's advice.

Laurent lost his wife 35 years ago. He said he enjoys working with the governor's staff and talking to his friends around the Capitol.

"I tell people I'd come up here for nothing, but I don't saythat too loud," he joked.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)